LAST FAMILY STANDING - Chapter 1

Following is the first chapter from my new novel, Last Family Standing, available September 15th from Abingdon Press. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

“Your daughter’s on television.”

“What?” I just about drop the spoon I’m using to stir my custard mixture. Is this a joke? A wrong number? I pull my cell phone away from my ear and read the ID on the screen. Nope. That’s Jules’s name, right under the picture of her wearing a red, white, and blue stovepipe hat at last year’s July 4^th picnic.

“Monica? Are you there?”

Her voice calls through the speaker, and I slowly put the phone back to my ear. “Yeah. I’m here.”

“Did you hear what I said?”

I close my eyes and shake my head, as if that will bring some clarity to my mind. It doesn’t work. “I heard, but. . . are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I recorded it to the DVR so you can see for yourself.”

Leave it to Jules to think of the practical answer to my questions. “I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll leave the porch light on.”

As we end the call, I look down at the spoon I’m still holding, motionless in the sauce pan. Instead of creamy custard, I now have something more akin to runny scrambled eggs. It’s ruined. Being a chef, I don’t usually make such stupid mistakes, but I’m more than a little shell-shocked from the bomb that just fell on me.. I turn off the flame, pour the contents down the disposal, then drop the pot and spoon into the sink with a clatter.

Running upstairs to grab my shoes, scenes from the past flash through my memory.

The hospital. All those white walls. The antiseptic smell. The rhythmic squeak-click-click-squeak of the gurney. The turtle-shaped water spot on the delivery room ceiling. The sharp cry of lungs being filled with oxygen for the first time. When I turned my head away, one nurse said to the other, “She’s not keeping it. We’re supposed to give the baby right to the adoptive  parents.”

That had been my idea. Don’t give the baby to me. Why should I hold something that’s not mine to keep? I thought it would be easier that way.

I was wrong.

Still, twenty-five years later, I do believe I made the right decision for my daughter. As I stuff my feet into my sneakers, I still think it was the right thing to do. For everyone. Even so, my knees feel slightly wobbly as I trot back down the stairs. My hand shakes as I grab my house keys. And when I call to my dog, Ranger, my voice shakes.

“I’ve got to go out.”

He lifts his shaggy brown head from the couch and looks my way, no doubt thinking he can stop me with a longing look from his big, soulful eyes. But I dash right past him.

“Sorry, buddy. No walk tonight.”

As I pull the front door closed behind me, a velvety breeze rubs across my cheeks, my bare arms, and my shorts-clad legs. I’ve lived in the Las Vegas valley long enough to know that 100-degree weather during the day often results in the most wonderful night-time conditions. Everyone else on the block knows it, too, and it looks like most of them are taking advantage of it tonight.

Mr. Williams raises his hand in greeting as he approaches, and I wave back. His dog, a black and white Great Dane named Caesar, tugs him along, straining at the leash. It’s obvious who’s walking whom.

“Where’s Ranger?” Mr. Williams asks.

I motion behind me. “Hanging out at home. I’m heading over to see Jules.”

The wind picks up and a gust lifts his silver comb-over and drops it on the other side of his head. Smoothing it back in place with one hand, he nods. “Have fun, then. See you –” The rest of his words are blown away as Caesar propels him down the block.

I’m thankful for the wind. It provides an excuse to keep my head down. Hands stuffed in my pockets, shoulders curled forward, ponytail swinging wildly, I speed walk the three-house distance to Jules’s without having to interact with anyone else. 

Just as she promised, the porch light is on and I open the front door without knocking. Inside the foyer, I kick off my shoes and call out, “It’s me!” I’m immediately swarmed by tweenager John, and eight-year-old twins Jerrod and Justin.

“Hey Aunt Monica!”

“Did you bring something yummy?”

“Where’s Ranger?”

Opening my arms wide, I try to hug them all at once. “Sorry, boys. Only me tonight.” It’s pretty rare for me to come over here without some kind of food offering for the rug rats.

“Guys, give Aunt Monica some breathing room.” Jules leans her five-foot-nine-inch frame over the boys, bracing one hand on Jerrod’s head, and plants a kiss on my cheek. Then she looks back down at her sons. “Head upstairs. Now.”

The three grumble in unison, but they don’t argue. It makes me wonder what Jules said to them before I got here. Did she tell them we needed to have a big-person talk? Or did she warn them there might be crying? The threat of experiencing female emotion would be enough to scare them away for at least the rest of the night. Possibly till puberty.

Jules links her arm through mine and pulls me through the house. We pass the room they use as an office, and a voice calls out. “Hey, Monica.”

“Hey, Jackson,” I call back to her husband. Apparently, he’s also been warned about the high likelihood of hysterics.

“You want a drink?” She asks as we walk through the kitchen.

“What have you got?”

“Everything we need for killer root beer floats.”

“Ooh, the hard stuff.” I shake my head. “Maybe later.”

When we get to the family room, my eyes immediately fly to the flat screen TV mounted on the wall, but it’s not even on.

“In a second.” Jules pats my back. “First, you need some details. Let’s sit down.”

We settle on the worn, chocolate brown sectional. I was with her when she picked it out. Chocolate was my suggestion, because I thought it would hide stains. She angles toward me and puts one hand flat on the seat cushion, right next to a big, dark spot of something. As it turns out, the antics of three young boys can’t be hidden, no matter how hard you try.

We look at each other, and I realize that for once my strong, take-charge friend is at a loss for words. So I get us started. “What was she doing on TV?”

Jules tucks a piece of blond hair behind her ear, but her hairstyle is so short, it just looks like she’s stroking the top of her ear. “You know that reality show I watch? Last Family Standing?”

I nod. “Yeah. It’s the one with the hot-but-snarky host.”

She sighs, but her mouth quirks up into a grin. “Why is that the only thing you remember about the show?”

Because I only watched it once, just to please her. And since I didn’t know who any of the contestants were or what was going on, all I had to concentrate on was the host. Who was pretty memorable.

“The basics are simple,” Jules says. “The season starts out with eight teams made up of two family members. All the teams are dumped in a remote location and have to rough it while they compete against each other until only two family teams are left. Then the audience votes to decide the winner.”

I hold my palm out to her. “Forgive me if I’m not fascinated, but what difference does it make? What does this have to do with my daughter?”

“Tonight was the season finale, and at the end, they introduce some of the contestants for the next season. She was one of them.” Jules looks down for a second, rubbing her finger along the edge of the cushion stain.

Now that I’ve had some time to process the news, questions begin to bubble up in my brain. “How do you know it’s her? You don’t even know what she looks like. Heck, I don’t even know what she looks like.”

“She looks a lot like you.”

I immediately picture a younger version of myself: dark auburn hair, blue eyes, and an upper lip that I’ve always thought was a bit too thin. Does she feel the same way? Does she ever look into the mirror and give it a pouty smile, making her lips as prominent as possible?

What am I doing? I shake my head, banishing the daydream and pulling my focus back to reality. 

“But that could be a coincidence. I have one of those faces, you know? People are always asking if they know me from somewhere.” I sigh. That’s it. That has to be it. “It’s just a mistake. She must be someone else’s –”

“She has your picture.”

The blood in my veins immediately converts to ice water. “My picture? Are you sure?”

Jules offers up a gentle smile. “Yes. It’s your graduation photo. And it has your first name and the date written on the back.”

My spine seems to have lost the ability to hold me upright. My shoulders slump and I plop back against the cushions. I don’t understand any of this. I chose the birth parents from a book full of hopefuls, and we even met once. But I never gave them my name, or a photo, or anything that would tie us together.

“Hey,” Jules grabs my hand and squeezes it between both of hers. “Are you okay?”

“No.” Only a handful of people know about this chapter of my life. Looking into the concerned eyes of my best friend, I’m glad she’s one of them. “I’m about as un-okay as you can get.”

She understands. The consummate nurturer, Jules also understands the importance of what we want to do versus what we need to do. She leans over and snatches the remote from the coffee table. “You ready?”

Can I ever be ready for this? Half an hour ago I was living a happy, uncomplicated life. My biggest worries were wondering if I should take Ranger to the vet for a teeth cleaning, and keeping the eggs from curdling in my custard. Now, I’m a woman with a past. A past that’s about to come to life before my eyes.

God help me. Please help me. I’m so not ready.

Without waiting for me to answer, Jules pushes a few buttons, bringing the TV screen to life.

Ready or not, here she comes.

The CFBA presents WINGS OF GLASS by Gina Holmes

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wings of Glass Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 2013) by Gina Holmes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey now called Novel Rocket and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.

Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will releases this month. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.


ABOUT THE BOOK

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption. On the cusp of womanhood, Penny is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time. It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.

When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wings of Glass, go HERE.


JEN'S THOUGHTS
Gina Holmes has become one of my must-read authors. In other words, when she writes a book, I MUST read it. Holmes has a way of tackling hard issues that makes them accessible without shying away from cold, hard reality. Wings of Glass is no exception. With characters that live and breath on the page, she makes us think about the true nature of love, how we respond when that love is twisted, and shines a light on the hope that awaits us all.

CFBA presents FOR LOVE OF ELI by Loree Lough

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing For Love of Eli Abingdon Press (February 1, 2013) by Loree Lough

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With more than FOUR MILLION copies of her books in circulation, Loree has 98 books (fiction and non-fiction for kids and adults; four novels optioned for movies; more books slated for release between now and 2014), 68 short stories, over 2,500+ articles in print, and over 19,000 letters from fans!

Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry, and her comedic approach makes her a favorite (and frequent) guest of writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, college and high school writing programs both here and abroad.

A writer who believes in "giving back," Loree dedicates a portion of her income to Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and other worthwhile organizations.

She splits her time between a tiny home in the Baltimore suburbs and an even tinier cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, and shares both with her real-life hero Larry, who rarely complains, even when she adds yet another item to her vast collection of "wolf stuff."

ABOUT THE BOOK

When unspeakable tragedy leaves young Eli an orphan, two families are devastated. But Taylor, Eli’s aunt and legal guardian, vows to help him remember his parents by creating a Memory Quilt. As she begins piecing together the moments of his parents' lives, the story of the young family emerges and Taylor and Eli begin to heal. But Eli’s uncle Reece is slow to let go of the past and still blames Taylor’s brother for his sister’s death. So, although he has long been attracted to Taylor, Reece keeps a safe distance away. Can their shared love for Eli pave the way to forgiveness or will Taylor and Reece be separated by pain?


If you would like to read a first chapter excerpt of For Love of Eli, go HERE.

Quilts of Love: All the Covers in One Place

Counting down till the release of my next book, A Wild Goose Chase Christmas . Check out this video from Abingdon Press. Didn't they do a great job with the covers?

Free Kindle Christian Fiction - July 6, 2012

You never know how long the freebies will last on Kindle... but as of right now, these are all FREE! Even if you already have the paper version, grab the e-version and give the authors a boost. We LOVE that.

CFBA Presents SHORT-STRAW BRIDE by Karen Witemeyer

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Short-Straw Bride Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012) by Karen Witemeyer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.
After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.

Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House.


ABOUT THE BOOK

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Short-Straw Bride, go HERE.

CFBA Presents A SWEETHAVEN SUMMER by Courtney Walsh

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Sweethaven Summer (Guidepost Books - February 7, 2012) by Courtney Walsh

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooker, theater director, and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, will be followed by two additional novels in the series. She’s also written two papercrafting books, Scrapbooking Your Faith and The Busy Scrapper. Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and is a frequent contributor to Group Publishing curriculum. She works as the PR Manager for Webster’s Pages from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her husband and three kids, who range in age from 4 to 10. Courtney drinks entirely too much coffee.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Suzanne's daughter, Campbell, journeys there in search of answers to her questions about her mother's history.Suzanne's three friends-Lila, Jane, and Meghan-were torn apart by long-buried secrets and heartbreak. Though they haven't spoken in years, each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together in Sweethaven. Suzanne's letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets one by one, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored-just as Suzanne intended.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Sweethaven Summer, go HERE.


JEN'S THOUGHTS
Courtney Walsh has written a lovely debut novel. Any woman who's ever shared her heart with a best friend will be drawn into this touching story of forgiveness, restoration, and bonds that cannot be broken.

CFBA Announces IN TOO DEEP by Mary Connealy

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing In Too Deep (Bethany House - February 1, 2012) by Mary Connealy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series: Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series: Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series: Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.


ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1866 Colorado, Ethan Kincaid agrees to a marriage of convenience with the same casual disregard he gives every decision. Audra Gilliland, young mother of two, accepts his proposal because she wants to stop being a burden to her newly married stepdaughter. And suddenly both of them are in far deeper than they'd planned.

Ethan doesn't expect Audra to affect him so profoundly, and when she begins to, he's terrified of the pain he's felt before when someone he loved was seriously injured on his watch. He's determined that his new wife will do as he says so he can keep her safe from the dangers that lurk on their ranch. Audra has been cared for all her life by one man or another--and they've done a poor job of it. Now she's planning to stand up for herself. And her new husband had better agree or get out of her way!

What will it take to transform two wayward hearts fearful of getting in too deep into two trusting hearts ready to risk falling deeply in love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of In Too Deep, go HERE.

JEN'S THOUGHTS
I love Mary Connealy. Love her writing, too. If she wrote a grocery list, I'd read it... and it would probably make me laugh, because Mary's just naturally funny. (Don't tell her that, though, because she doesn't think she is... go figure.)

In Too Deep is classic Connealy... a strong-silent-type hero and a spunky heroine butt heads in a story filled with laughs, action, and love. If you're already a Connealy fan, you'll enjoy this one. If you're not... then jump on the bus. One caveat... In Too Deep is the second book in The Kincaid Brides series. While you can read it and enjoy it if you haven't read book one, I don't recommend it. Oh, you'll understand what's going on, but you won't have the same attachment to the characters as you would if you read the books in order. So if you haven't read book one, Out of Control, pick that up first. You can thank me later.

Watch the book trailer:

CFBA Presents LOVE ON THE LINE by Deeanne Gist

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingLove on the LineBethany House (October 1, 2011)byDeeanne Gist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a "corporate executive" was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, three RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Her latest releases, Beguiled, Maid to Match, and Love on the Line are now available.

Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-eight years and their border collie. They have four grown children. Click here to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Love on the Line, go HERE.


JEN'S THOUGHTS

Deeanne Gist remains one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She always finds away to bring new, fresh twists to stories of days gone by. Love on the Line is no exception. I'm sure you'll enjoy this offereing from a master storyteller!

If you haven't tried one of Gist's books yet, check out Maid to Match, which is available right now as a free Kindle download.

Interview and Giveaway with Author Rose McCauley

It's a great pleasure to welcome back my dear friend (and debut author!) Rose McCauley.

Q:  What was your inspiration for Christmas Belles of Georgia?
A:  Jeanie Smith Cash came up with the idea and graciously asked me to join her and Debra Ullrick and Jeri Odell.

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  Yes, I have written since a young child, but only started pursuing publication about 10 years ago.

Q:  How do you come up with your story ideas?
A:  Many different ways—something I see or hear or read about, or sometimes I come up a character first and then write a story about them.

Q:  How does your faith impact your writing?
A:  Like life, I think our faith should impact everything we do. I like to put my characters in situations that cause them to reach out to God for help or insight.

Q:  How long does it take you to complete a novel?
A:  Since this was a novella (20,000 words) I was able to write it in a month. How many drafts do you go through? After the initial writing, I sent it to 3 crit partners who gave me some suggestions, then I sent it to the other three authors in the collection for their suggestions, then made a few more and sent it in, so this book went through 4 minor drafts. I have a longer novel (over 80,000 words) that has gone through several drafts!)

Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  Since Barbour requires a complete synopsis of the whole book, this story was well plotted out before I started, making the writing go faster, but there were still minor changes as I went. The first story I wrote I just started with my characters and took them on a journey, but that story took much longer to write and is not published! One of the things I learned from that experience is to have more structure before I start, but to still allow myself and my characters to change direction if needed to make it a more compelling story.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  How much hard work still remained to market the book.

Q:  What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a fledgling writer? 
A:  Keep studying the craft of writing, keep reading and keep writing.

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A:  Since I already had a career of 27 years of teaching, I am enjoying writing as my second career!

Q:  What does your family think about your crazy career?
A:  They are all very proud and supportive, and my husband has washed a lot of dishes in the past few years!

Q:  There’s been a lot said about the future of publishing and the possible death of the print book. What’s your take on eBooks, self-publishing, and such?
A:  I do not have a kindle, but my daughter and granddaughter do and love them. I have downloaded several books to my computer kindle but have not completed one yet! I still love to hold a book in my hands and I love to share my books with others, so will keep buying printed books.

Scenario: You’re about to be dropped off on a deserted island. You can take along one survival item, one book, and one person (living or dead… but they’ll be alive on the island). What and who do you take?
A:  I am very practical. I would take a blow-up mattress, a Bible, and my hubby. He is the McGyver-type, so he could build anything we needed!

Thanks for hosting me, Jen. This was a fun interview!

And thanks for joining us, Rose. I'm so happy for your success!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rose McCauley
Rose has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is happy for this to be her first fiction anthology because Christmas books are her favorites. A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for 41 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to three lovely, lively kids! You can reach her through her website http://www.rosemccauley.com/ or blogsite at http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Nick’s Christmas Carol in Christmas Belles of Georgia

“God sets the lonely in families…” Psalm 68:6

Nick Powers worked hard to earn his college degree and his dream job. He doesn’t know what to expect when he finds out new owners will be taking over Bellingham Plantation soon. When Carol Wells comes to town, she and Nick get off to a rocky start, but soon combine forces to make Christmas a happier time for others. Can they find their own Christmas happiness?

WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, October 14th. (NOTE: This time round, US addresses only. Thanks.) Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

Interview and Giveaway with Author Alice J. Wisler

It's my pleasure to welcom Alice J. Wisler to the blog.

Q:  What was your inspiration for A Wedding Invitation?
A:  I received a wedding invitation intended for the previous owner of my house. The invitation was beautiful and the reception was to be held at a country club in New York. I wondered: What if I crashed this wedding? Instead, I let my main character end up at the wrong wedding.

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  Yes, ever since I was in first grade and I wrote stories with stick-figure illustrations and stapled them together.

Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  I plot ahead of time. Publishers want a synopsis, so this makes me go deep into the story and get it all lined up before I set out to write it.

Q:  What’s your favorite part of the writing business? What’s your least favorite?
A:  I love it when I’m about ¾ of the way through writing a novel. That’s when I love, love, love to spend all my time writing. Hours pass and I’m in my own world. Sometimes I even forget to eat.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  What do you mean Oprah doesn’t know who I am? :)

Q:  What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a fledgling writer?
A:  Don’t give up. Keep writing to improve your voice and the craft.

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A:  I’m sure I would have discovered some drug that would help others and earn me millions.

Q:  What event, writer, or book has most impacted your writing life?
A:  The cancer-related death of my four-year-old son Daniel in 1997 has impacted my writing more than anything else. He was a sweetheart and I miss him each day.

Q:  What’s the one far out sci-fi technology you’d most like to see become a household item?
A:  A robot that cleans the entire house with one press of a button.

Thanks for taking the time to visit with us, Alice. Blessings to you!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice J. Wisler is the author of RAIN SONG (Christy Finalist 2009), HOW SWEET IT IS (Christy Finalist 2010), HATTERAS GIRL and A WEDDING INVITATION----all by Bethany House Publishers. In memory of her son, she teaches online grief-writing courses---Writing the Heartache---and at conferences across the country. Visit her website: http://www.alicewisler.com/.

ABOUT THE BOOK: A Wedding Invitation
Samantha Bravencourt ends up at the wrong wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and from there, the past starts to come alive. She meets Lien, a former student from her days of teaching English-as-a-second-language at a refugee camp in the Philippines as well as Carson, the man who taught with her, the man who broke her heart. Now she and Carson are asked to help Lien find her mother before Lien's wedding date. Why is the past so hard to forgive? And dare she take another chance on love?


WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of A Wedding Invitation, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, October 10th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

Interview and Giveaway with Author Susan Page Davis

It's a pleasure to welcome author Susan Page Davis back to the blog!

Q:  What was your inspiration for Captive Trail?
A:  Vickie McDonough, Darlene Franklin, and I are all clients of the same agent. He asked the three of us if we’d like to put together a book series set in Texas. When we began looking at a timeline of Texas history for ideas, the story of Cynthia Ann Parker jumped out at me. She is one of the most famous Indian captives of all time. I wanted to write a story about another girl who underwent the terror of capture and isolation from anyone she knew, but who had a happier outcome than Cynthia did.

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A:  I suppose I have, although when I was in first grade, I thought I would like to run a store. Later I thought owning a hotel would be the best job on earth, and for a while I considered going into nursing. I don’t think I considered “writer” as a possibility for me at that time.

Q:  How do you deal with writer’s block?

A:  I don’t encounter it very often. Occasionally I’ll get “stuck” writing a particular scene. When that happens, I either push through it and leave it to be revised later, or skip right over it and go to the next part. Later, I think it over and decide whether I really need that scene. If I do, what is its purpose? Usually, focusing on the job that scene needs to do helps me write it.

Q:  How long does it take you to complete a novel? How many drafts do you go through?

A:  I would say that I go through at least six drafts, and the actual writing takes me anywhere from a month to six months.

Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  I plot it out beforehand. It helps me stay on track as I’m writing.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Susan!

About Captive Trail:

Taabe Waipu has run away from her Comanche village and is fleeing south in Texas on a horse she stole from a dowry left outside her family’s teepee. The horse has an accident and she is left on foot, injured and exhausted. She staggers onto a road near Fort Chadbourne and collapses.

On one of the first runs through Texas, Butterfield Overland Mail Company driver Ned Bright carries two Ursuline nuns returning to their mission station. They come across a woman who is nearly dead from exposure and dehydration and take her to the mission.

With some detective work, Ned discovers Taabe Waipu’s identity. He plans to unite her with her family, but the Comanche have other ideas, and the two end up defending the mission station. Through Taabe and Ned we learn the true meaning of healing and restoration amid seemingly powerless situations.

Captive Trail is second in a six-book series, Texas Trails. You can read more about it at: http://www.texastrailsfiction.com/. Award-winning authors Vickie McDonough and Darlene Franklin also contribute to this series—we have two books each. And each book can be read on its own.

About The Lady’s Maid:
The Lady’s Maid is first in my new Prairie Dreams historical romance series. Elise Finster accompanies her young British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, on a voyage to America in 1855. Lady Anne’s father has died, and her Uncle David is the new Earl of Stoneford—if he steps forward and claims the title. But David disappeared into the American West when Anne was a baby. Now it’s up to her and Elise to find him. They join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri, not realizing they’re leading a killer straight to David.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Page Davis is an award-winning author with thirty-seven published novels and novellas. A Maine native, she has also lived in Oregon and recently moved to western Kentucky.

Susan has six children and eight grandchildren and loves to spend time with them. She loves animals, puzzles, reading, and genealogy. In January, 2011, she was named Favorite Author of the Year among readers of Heartsong Presents books. She’s a member of Women Writing the West and American Christian Fiction Writers and a past winner of the Carol Award (ACFW’s Book of the Year) and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award.


WIN THE BOOKS
Susan is so awesome, she's giving away a copy of each of the books featured in this post! If you’d like to be entered to win one, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, October 3rd. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

Interview & Book Giveaway with Author Anne Mateer

A big welcome to one of the sweetest gals I know... debut author Anne Mateer!

Q;  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember, but in 4th grade I was given the opportunity to attend a couple of summer honors camps—one for science, one for poetry. In the science class, we dissected a frog. Ew!! In the poetry class, we learned about poetry and then wrote our own. Bliss! From that moment on I knew I could make words work together and that I wanted to be a writer. In middle school I discovered historical fiction and fell in love. I wanted to weave together history and fiction but from a more overtly Christian perspective. (This was pre-Janette Oke!) Lo and behold, here I am!

Q:  What was your inspiration for Wings of a Dream?
A:  My grandmother was a born storyteller and often told us stories about her family. Long ago I heard about how her mother died while her father was fighting WWI in France and how her mother’s niece came to care for them. Only many years later, when piecing the story together by year, did I realize that my great-grandmother died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. After my grandmother passed away in January of 2000, I knew I wanted to spin this situation into a novel, but I couldn’t quite solidify a story and characters. Nine years later, after I’d learned much about writing and finished 4 other novels, the story fell into place. I’m still humbled and amazed that Bethany House liked it!

Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  I’ve always been a seat-of-the-pants writer, mostly because I enjoy being surprised by the story and the characters. However, my first book contract was for two books—the first completely finished and the second only a paragraph blurb! So this past year, in order to make my deadline, I have learned to be a bit more deliberate in my planning for the story, mostly so I could avoid all the rewrites I experienced with Wings of a Dream to address weak plot points! Several things have helped me to map things out a little more beforehand, including Snowflake software by Randy Ingermanson, How to Find your Story by Jeff Gerke, and the writing software Scriviner, though much still takes shape as I go.

Q:  What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a fledgling writer?
A:  Before you can move forward, you have to understand that talent alone is not enough. Just as an athlete who is naturally gifted must still work to hone his or her skill in a sport, a writer must work at craft—and be willing to learn! Read craft books. Attend conferences or listen to conference workshops on CD. Join a critique group. Write, write, write.

Q:  What do you think about writing contests? Have you participated in any? What’s the benefit to an unpublished writer?
A:  I entered several contests before I was published. They are a good way to get some feedback, to see where you are. However, my biggest caution is a person’s motivation. If it is all about the win, you’ll often be disappointed and discouraged. If it is about learning and growing as a writer, you’ll ALWAYS be a winner!


Wise words, Anne. Thanks so much for visiting with us today! And now I'd like to add my thoughts about Wings of a Dream...

THOUGHTS FROM JEN

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways.

1. I love that it's a historical novel written in 1st person. Brilliant! It made me feel like I was right there with Rebekah, facing each trial and each triumph.
2. I love how the story is as much about Rebekah's growth as a person as it is about romantic entanglements. The character arc is realistic and compelling.
3. I love how the prose flowed so seamlessly that I never wanted to put it down. Have you ever stood in the kitchen and stirred pots on the stove with one hand while holding a book with the other? Yep, it's that kind of novel.
4. I love that well-earned writing success has come to such a hard-working, lovely person as Anne. Yes, we are friends, but that's not why I'm recommending her book. It's just plain great!
5. And last but not least, I love that I can add Anne Mateer to my list of must-read authors. I'm looking forward to the next one!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anne Mateer is a three-time Genesis Contest finalist who has long had a passion for history and historical fiction. She and her husband live near Dallas, Texas, and are the parents of three young adults.

ABOUT THE BOOK - Wings of a Dream

Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, seeing this chance to be closer to Arthur's training camp as God's approval of her plans.

But the Spanish flu epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's death, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebeka is torn between the desire to escape the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.


WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Wings of a Dream, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Thursday, September 15th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.)  Good luck!

Interview & Book Giveaway with Author Richard Mabry

It's my pleasure to welcome back to the blog one of the nicest guys I know in the writing biz, Richard "Doc" Mabry!

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  Absolutely not. I practiced medicine for thirty-six years, the last ten as a professor at a medical school, and as such I wrote or edited eight textbooks and over a hundred professional papers, but I had no aspirations to write beyond that. Then, after my first wife died, I used journaling as a coping tool, and friends urged me to use that material as the jumping off point for a book to help others suffering through grief. It took me several years to learn the craft well enough to write the book, but The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse was published in 2006 and continues a ministry of which I’m proud.

At my first writing conference, authors Alton Gansky and James Scott Bell encouraged me to try my hand at fiction. Four unsuccessful novels, forty rejections, and four years later my first novel was published. Lethal Remedy is my fourth novel of medical suspense.

Q:  What was your inspiration for Lethal Remedy?
A:  At my first writing conference, Alton Gansky told us that the concept of most of his stories begins by his asking “what if?” Although I’m retired from medicine, I keep up with it, and I was concerned by the continuing development of bacterial strains that are resistant to available antibiotics. I let my mind wander until I asked, “What if there were a resistant bacteria that caused infection that was universally fatal? And what if someone—a drug company, a doctor doing research—developed an antibiotic that would cure that infection, but with potential complications that were lethal themselves? And what if one of those someones decided to cover up the potential complications, so that they only show up after it’s too late?

There, in a nutshell, is the premise for Lethal Remedy. Simple, right?

Q:  How long does it take you to complete a novel? How many drafts do you go through?
A:  Ideally, I’d like to have a year to plot out and complete a novel to the point of a finished manuscript. Notice, I said “ideally.” In actuality, although I had a year to write and polish my first two novels, the third and fourth were written to a contracted deadline, and I completed each of them in six months. I think that may be good in some ways, because when you’re working without the pressure of time constraints, there’s often a tendency to revise and reshape that results in the loss of the original freshness of the work.

It’s hard to say how many drafts I go through, since I don’t do a rough draft per se to start. Rather, I write the first chapter or two, then when I go back to write the next chapter I read through the preceding work and edit it. That gets me back into the story, in addition to smoothing out rough edges as I go. Then, after the whole novel is completed, I go back over it at least twice more. Of course, my editor then does the same thing, but it makes me feel good to submit a manuscript that’s the best I can make it.

Q:  How does your faith impact your writing?
A:  I write from a Christian worldview, but rather than altar calls and evangelical pleadings, the Christian message in my writing is portrayed through the way the characters handle themselves in the face of misfortune. Some of them have deep faith, some have faith that has faltered or even disappeared, but there’s always a Christian message, and generally an applicable Scripture passage or two. I want the reader, when they finish the book, to walk away thinking about what they’ve read and how it might impact their own lives.

Q:  How do you deal with writer’s block?
A:  I wish I could say I’ve never experienced it, but that would be a lie. I believe every writer will at times hit a wall where the idea that advances the story just won’t come. What generally works for me is to put the work aside and do something else—write a short meditation, compose a blog post, go play golf (especially go play golf)—and then sleep on it. Maybe it’s inspiration, maybe it’s what Stephen King calls “putting the boys in the basement to work.” In any case, often I’ll wake up with the idea I need.

Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  I’m most comfortable writing “by the seat of my pants.” For my first two novels, that was fine because I didn’t have to sell them to anyone until they were completed. But after that I had to write a synopsis to go along with sample chapters for submission through my agent to editors. To comply, I write a summary in as much detail as I can, but generally find that I have to change a few things as I go along. I guess you can say that now I’m half plotter, half pantser.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  I was initially surprised that there wasn’t a banner headline in the newspaper and that people weren’t ringing my doorbell to get my autograph. (Just kidding). Seriously, I think I was most surprised at how many of my fellow authors offered genuine, heartfelt congratulations. Unlike so many areas, Christian writing is populated by people who, although they’re in a sense competing for a limited number of slots, are always supportive of the efforts of the people vying for the same slots. That’s neat.


I agree. The community of Christian authors is pretty awesome. Thanks so much for visiting with us today!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Richard Mabry retired from medicine after a distinguished career as a respected clinician, teacher, writer, and researcher. He entered the field of non-medical writing with the publication of his book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse, written after the death of his first wife.

Richard is the author of the Prescription For Trouble series of medical thrillers. The fourth novel in that series, Lethal Remedy, was just released by Abingdon Press. In addition to his “medical suspense with heart,” Richard is a frequent contributor to The Upper Room devotional guide, and his short pieces have appeared in In Touch and other periodicals.

He is a member of International Thriller Writers and serves as Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dr. Sara Miles’ patient is on the threshold of death from an overwhelming, highly resistant infection with Staphylococcus luciferus, known to doctors as “the killer.” Only an experimental antibiotic, developed and administered by Sara’s ex-husband, Dr. Jack Ingersoll, can save the girl's life.

Crushed by the death of his wife, retired physician Dr. John Ramsey is searching to pull himself from the depths of depression by returning to medicine as a member of the medical school faculty. But his decision could prove fatal.

Potentially lethal late effects from the “wonder drug” send Sara and her colleague, Dr. Rip Pearson, on a hunt for hidden critical data. Can they find the answer and reverse the changes before it’s too late?


WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Lethal Remedy, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Wednesday, September 13th. (NOTE: This time round, US addresses only. Thanks.) Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

Interview and Giveaway with Author Anne K. Albert

A big welcome to today's guest author, Anne K. Albert.

Q:  What was your inspiration for Defending Glory?
A:  Nothing makes me happier than a book with a murder to solve, a hero who will give his life to protect the heroine, and a happily-ever-after. I write and read books that chill the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul…all with a touch of humor.


Q:  How long does it take you to complete a novel? How many drafts do you go through?
A:  Without interruptions, I can write the first draft of a novel in about six to eight weeks. However, since the release of my debut novel, it’s been difficult to find any time to write. Most of my days and nights are spent online tackling social media.

As to number of drafts, edits and full revisions I do, I refuse to count! It could easily be 15. Maybe more. I joke I just do it until my eyes bleed. (It’s a horrid image, my apologies, but my eyes really do hurt!)


Q:  Do you plot out your story ahead of time, or do you think it up as you go?
A:  I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer which means I just go. I have no idea what will happen from one sentence to the next until I write it down. That said, I write in chronological order, so the beginning has to ‘feel’ just right before I move on to the rest of the book. I will often write 10-20 first scenes (all variations of each other) before I hit upon the right one. This process used to drive me crazy, but I’ve learned that’s just the way I write. Still, if I could find a better (easier) way to write I’d adopt it in a heartbeat.


Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  The majority of promotion and marketing these days falls onto the author’s lap. I had no idea how time consuming it could be, or that it would distract from my actual writing. As a result, I’m behind deadline. That’s the downside of blogging, tweeting and sharing on Facebook.

Equally surprising, however, are the perks of social media. I’ve met some wonderful people online who have become friends. What a gift!


Q:  What’s the most important piece of advice you would give to a fledgling writer?
A:  Write. Write often. Finish what you write. Treat writing as a job (because it is). Be open to new ideas, suggestions, and ways of doing things. And never, ever give up.


Q:  What do you think about writing contests? Have you participated in any? What’s the benefit to an unpublished writer?
A:  Writing contests are a superb training ground for the unpubbed writer. I entered my first contest shortly after I joined RWA, and like most newbies expected to win. My scores, however, put me at the bottom of the heap. (I ranked #98 of 100 entries.) I was devastated, but the judges explained why I scored so low. I worked hard to follow their advice, and entered more contests. Slowly, (as in years not months!) I moved up the ranks, became a finalist and eventually the winner. Contests are a great opportunity for an unpubbed writer to get feedback and build writing credits. Winning a contest can move you out of the slush pile and onto an editor or agent’s desk. I highly recommend entering contests as well as judging contests. Sometimes it’s easier to see what not to do in someone else’s work!


Q:  There’s been a lot said about the future of publishing and the possible death of the print book. What’s your take on eBooks, self-publishing, and such?
A:  The publishing world is changing, but then, so is the world and humans by nature resist change. Libraries were once filled with papyrus scrolls and stone tablets. The invention of the printing press did not make libraries obsolete, it just make reading more accessible to people regardless of their wealth or rank. I believe eBooks and self-publishing will achieve a similar positive result. Statistics indicate book sales increase with the purchase of an e-reader, plus readers around the globe can download a book (even mine!) in seconds. It’s an exciting time to be a writer.

Thanks Jennifer for this opportunity! Blessings to you and yours.

Thanks to you,  Anne, for visiting with us today. It was a pleasure!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne K. Albert writes the romantic suspense Piedmont Island Trilogy series. DEFENDING GLORY, book one, was released in September 2010. PROTECTING HOPE, second of the series, will hit the shelves this fall 2011.

Anne also writes the cozy, comedic Muriel Reeves Mysteries. FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, first of the series is the recipient of the 2011 Holt Medallion Award of Merit.

Readers can learn more at her website: http://www.annekalbert.com/

ABOUT THE BOOK - Defending Glory
Suffering from survivor's guilt and unable to resume his career with the FBI, Mac McKeown moves to northern Minnesota to start over as a general contractor and forget that fateful day that changed everything. When he discovers the body of the man who ended his career on Glory Palmer's property, along with a warning for her to leave while she still can, Mac realizes his past has come back to haunt him and an innocent woman's life is in danger. He vows to keep her safe during construction of the retreat, but can he protect his heart as well?

WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win Defending Glory, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Monday, September 12. Please leave an email address so we can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Since this is an e-book, you will receive an email from Anne with information about how to download your book. Good luck!