Shirley Connolly is here with her new book...win a free copy!

Hi all, Shirley Connolly is here today introducing us to her new book. I hope you enjoy the interview! Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win a free copy.

Shirley Kiger Connolly, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, now lives on the Southern Coast of Oregon with her husband. Their three children are now grown. When not writing, Shirley is with her animals, doing stitchery, or reading, or watching classics with her husband. Shirley attended college in Northern California.
She later became a graduate of Institute of Children’s Literature. A Christian for over forty years, it was through her relationship with the Lord, she developed a passion for women’s ministry and teaching. This blossomed further when her husband went into pastoral ministry. While teaching, Shirley’s love for research led to the publishing of two historical fiction novels. Shirley also wears another hat, penning light-hearted devotional books . The first in a series of three: I See God in the Simple Things is scheduled to release this month. Shirley’s goal is to keep her fiction as true to life as possible, and focus her devotionals on simple everyday living to encourage her readers to enjoy life to the fullest regardless of its difficulties.


Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves.

I’ll be talking about my new light-hearted devotional coming out in February. It’s called I See God in the Simple Things and it’s about those things in life you and I experience every day through simple daily living. God is so wonderful the way He shows us more about ourselves simply by having us look at life as it really is. He also shows us through those basic experiences where we truly are in our walks with Him. Have you ever noticed that? It’s sad how so many of us get caught up in making things difficult for ourselves, especially during a trial. God tries to urge us back in the sweetest sort of way. We oftentimes don’t take the time to open our eyes. I See God in the Simple Things takes the reader behind the eyes of maybe a chicken, or a goat, or it might show us a word of wisdom from a child’s response to something we are doing. In the book, after each reflection, is an area for the reader to journal her own thoughts about what God has shown her that day. I think women of all ages who are ready to take a little moment out of their day with God, will be blessed and encouraged through the reading of this book. I See God in the Simple Things is the first in a three-book series I’m doing.

In your opinion, what’s the toughest thing you find about writing? The easiest?

The toughest in my fiction stories is the beginning. The easiest in my fiction work is working out my characters and their dialogues. For my devotionals doing the index I guess is the most difficult or at least time consuming. I like to index the scriptures that can be used for various subject matter for my readers. The easiest? Probably coming up with the subject matter.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

For my fiction work, I like to write what I know, so it could have been someplace I have been before, or someplace I have done research on. As far as the time to go with the place, I love books written about the 1800s most of all. That, too, helps me determine where my setting might be. For my devotionals, the setting for each reflection is right where I am at the moment: in the chicken coup, out in the barn, in the garden, at my kitchen window. You name it.

How do you make time for God in the craziness of life?

God is first and foremost, Lynette, so I don’t even start my day without Him going before me. I find, if I don’t do that, my day never goes quite right.

What’s next for you in the world of publishing?

Right now, I am working on my third fiction book, and also getting my second devotional ready for release in November. I am pretty excited about all the Lord is doing, even though my work is not yet well known to the public.

Any parting comments?

Simply a great big thank you and hug for allowing me to share about my new book. I hope you all get a chance to read it. I think you will really be encouraged by it.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me at http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/ and http://shirleykoinonia.tripod.com/ At A Pen for Your Thoughts I usually have a contest going on, and I’m always interviewing old and new authors, whether published or not. I love to get to know people and tell others about them. Come on by, please, and sign up to be a follower. Then you can stay up to date with what I’m doing.


Thanks so much for being here, Shirley, it was great getting to know you a little better. God Bless!

Randy Singer, a unique opportunity - and a free book!

Hi everyone, I have just been told of a great opportunity. YOU can influence the ending of Randy Singer's next book.

If you’ve ever read a legal thriller or watched an episode of Law & Order and thought you would have rendered a different verdict—step into the jury box.

You have the unique opportunity to participate in helping determine the verdict of a court case in an upcoming legal thriller by critically-acclaimed author, Randy Singer. Here’s a bit about what Randy is doing:

Beginning January 12, readers will have an opportunity to determine the verdict in Randy’s upcoming legal thriller, The Justice Game (Tyndale House, July 2009), which features a court case centered on the gun debate. The verdict voted on by the readers will be written into the story and kept under wraps until the book’s release. This is the first time in recent memory that an author has taken reader involvement and feedback to this level.

“I wanted to do something different and get my readers really involved in the story,” said Singer. “This gives them an opportunity to hear both sides of the national gun debate and gets them thinking. Plus, it adds an element of fun to the book.”

Taking a new approach to the popular book trailer, Singer has produced a short, online video that mimics a cable news report. Featuring real-life talk show host Lorri Allen as the lead news anchor, the video shares the latest updates on the trial at the center of the book interspersed with segments of the closing arguments direct from the courtroom. At the end of the video, viewers are directed to a special section on Singer’s Web site to render their verdict.

You can access the video at: www.randysinger.net.

Randy, who is a practicing veteran trial attorney as well as a teaching pastor in Virginia Beach, VA, has written seven critically-acclaimed legal thrillers. Publishers Weekly has said he, “is as enjoyable as John Grisham,” and his work has received several noteworthy reviews. His latest book, By Reason of Insanity (Tyndale), debuted in hardcover last summer and releases this month in softcover.

Tell us how you voted and why. Your name will be placed in a drawing for a copy of Randy's By Reason of Insanity. When The Justice Game becomes available, I'll come back to this post and choose another winner for a copy of that!

God Bless!

Lynette

Merrillee Whren is here today... enter the drawing to win a free book!

Welcome Merrillee! I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to join us. I've had a time getting everything posted due to internet outages, but I think we're good to go now!

Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves.

My latest release is MOMMY’S HOMETOWN HERO, which comes out in January 2009. The story is the middle book of a three-book series about the Dalton brothers. The first book is FOUR LITTLE BLESSINGS (Feb. 2008), Wade Dalton’s story. MOMMY’S HOMETOWN HERO is Matt Dalton’s story. The third book, HOMECOMING BLESSING, comes out in April 2009 and is the story of Peter Dalton.



MOMMY’S HOMETOWN HERO is very close to my heart because it is set in South Dakota, where I was born. Although my life little resembles that on my characters, the setting takes me back to my roots. Here is a blurb:
His objective: marriage.
His opponent: a stubborn single mom.
After ten years, Rachel Charbonneau is finally back in South Dakota. But she intends to sell her family's farm and hurry back "home" to the city. Ex-soldier Matt Dalton won't let her go without a fight.
So his strategy: arm himself with all the faith and love necessary to be her hometown hero.

2. How many full manuscripts did you write before you sold?

I wrote eighhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gift full manuscripts before I sold.
3. In your opinion, what’s the most fascinating thing about writing?

The most fascinating thing is how characters can take you on an unexpected journey.
4. What’s something you can tell us about yourself that most people don’t know?

In high school I played the piccolo in the marching band.

5. When did you start writing for publication and what did people say when they found out?

I started writing for publication in 1984. People didn’t say much. I think they thought it was a nice hobby, especially since it took me twenty years to sell something to a publisher.

6. What is your favorite food?

That’s a hard question. I like too many foods. Maybe we should go with categories.
Sweet: Chocolate and lots of it.
Salty: Popcorn with lots of butter
Fruit: Strawberries
Meat: Filet Mignon medium rare
Vegetable: broccoli

7. Tell us a little about your family.

I will be married to my husband for 33 years on Feb. 14, 2009. We have two grown daughters who are both married. The older one just got married this past October. The younger one just had a baby girl, my first grandchild.

A Valentine's Anniversary! No wonder you write romance. And congratulations the grandbaby, what a sweet blessing.

8. Who are your favorite authors?
I can’t pick favorite authors. There are too many. That’s why my TBR pile is so high.

9. What are you reading now and what’s in your “to be read” pile?

I’m reading Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy. I plan to read all the RITA finalists and ACFW Book of the Year finalists for 2008. I have nearly 2 dozen Love Inspired novels in my TBR pile along with about the same number of books by the member of the Wet Noodle Posse, the 2003 Golden Heart finalists. One day I will get them read.

9. Do you set out to write each story with a particular theme or does the theme develop as the story does?

I’d say the theme develops as I write. I usually start with a set of characters, a setting and a problem facing one or more of the characters and go from there. A theme may develop from those circumstances.

10. Do you have a particular method for tracking the details in your story? Can you tell us a little about this?

I’m not a particularly organized person, so my methods are haphazard. I often print out a calendar from an online calendar site that projects calendars for years to come. Then I start a timeline of events and write them on the calendar print out. I have a pocket folder where I keep that calendar and any research items that I collect from newspapers or from things I find on the Web. Sometimes, I do e-mail interviews with folks and print those out and put them in the folder, too.

11. Who has had the most influence on your life in general? In your writing life?

Other than God, my husband has the most influence on my life. I value his advice and support. In my writing life, I trust the Lord to give me the story that someone needs to read. I finally figured out, after years of trying to get published, that I needed to let God rule my writing life. I do love having other writers to share writing ups and downs with, but I know the best source for inspiration is the Lord.

12. Do you have an agent? If yes, did you have the agent before you sold your first book or after?

Yes, I have an agent, but I didn’t have an agent when I made my first sale to Steeple Hill. I got an agent in between my first and second sales. Although a writer doesn’t need an agent to sell to Steeple Hill, I like having an agent to deal with contracts and other issues that might come up from time to time and to give me advice on the writing business.
13. What advice do you have for a beginning author?

Expect rejection but keep writing. Never give up.

14. Any parting comments?

I love to hear from readers. Their notes make my day. Readers can write to me through my Web site at www.merrilleewhren.com or at PO Box 16461, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Thank you so much for stopping by! What great answers. It's so much fun to learn more about some of my favorite authors and this time has bee no exception.

All right, bloggers, leave a comment and get put in the drawing for Merilee's newest release MOMMY'S HOMETOWN HERO.

Ann Kirk Shorey is here today...win a free book!

Hi all! Let's give Ann a warm welcome. Be sure to leave a comment and get in the drawing for a freebie.

Bio: Ann Shorey has been writing for over fifteen years. She’s been published in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort series, and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul. Ann has also written articles for various local and regional publications. After completing a nonfiction historical narrative in 1998, she realized she had uncovered a treasure trove of inspiration, and turned to fiction as a way to put that inspiration to good use.
Ann teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at writers conferences. She works in Sutherlin, Oregon, where she lives with her husband, Richard. The Edge of Light is her first novel.



1. Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves. The Edge of Light is set in 1838 in what was then frontier Missouri and Illinois. When Molly McGarvie’s husband, Samuel, succumbs to cholera, her unscrupulous brother-in-law takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself. She knows she must head out on her own, but it’s a dangerous journey and soon she faces the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to earn a living, restore her family, and fend off some unusual suitors. There are enough plot twists to keep readers up past their bedtimes!


2. How many full manuscripts did you write before you sold? Or if you’re pre-pubbed, how many have you written to date? I wrote two other full manuscripts, and re-wrote this one several times.

3. In your opinion, what’s the most fascinating thing about writing? I write historical fiction, and am continually fascinated by the way women lived in earlier times. In fact, learning more about these women’s lives if what prompted me to write fiction in the first place.

4. What’s something you can tell us about yourself that most people don’t know? In my dream life, I’d own at least five or six rescue dogs. I love dogs, and we have one that we did rescue, but we don’t have space for more.

5. When did you start writing for publication and what did people say when they found out? I started with nonfiction back in the 1990’s, and had a few things published. I think until this book deal happened, most people thought of it as my “hobby.”

6. What is your favorite food? Chocolate.

7. Tell us a little about your family. My husband, Richard, and I are empty-nesters. Our daughters have fledged and flown, although they all live close enough to allow for frequent visits.

8. Who are your favorite authors? Way too many to list them all. Barbara Kingsolver is at the top of my list, but I also like mystery writers Elizabeth George and Tony Hillerman. Bonnie Leon and Rachel Hauck are two wonderful ACFW-member writers.

9. What are you reading now and what’s in your “to be read” pile? Right now I’m reading “Longings of the Heart,” by Bonnie Leon. “Shade,” by John B. Olson, “A Passion Most Pure,” by Julie Lessman, and “Love Starts With Elle,” by Rachel Hauck, are at the top of my “to be read” pile.

10. Do you set out to write each story with a particular theme or does the theme develop as the story does? I find the theme develops as the story progresses. If I start with a fixed idea it’s too limiting for me.

11. Do you have a particular method for tracking the details in your story? Can you tell us a little about this? I keep a chapter-by-chapter log as I write. Nothing fancy. I use a yellow legal-size pad and jot down the highlights of the chapter, date (in the story), and POV character. Details of the characters are spelled out on the character sheets that I prepare before beginning to write. I’ll go back to these sheets and add information if something happens in the story that I need to remember.

12. Who has had the most influence on your life in general? In your writing life? Becoming a Christian 30+ years ago has had the greatest influence on my life. Humanly speaking, my mother shaped the person I am today. In my writing life, I’ve been blessed with a wonderful mentor and friend, Bonnie Leon. She cheers me on every step of the way.

13. Do you have an agent? If yes, did you have the agent before you sold your first book or after? If you are yet to be published, you can skip the second part of the question. Yes. My book was in committee at the publisher when my agent responded to my proposal, so in a way I had the sale and the agent at the same time. She was a tremendous help through the contract process.

14. What advice do you have for a beginning author? Follow your dreams. Don’t get discouraged and quit. If the book you’re working on gets rejected over and over, take what you’ve learned from rejections start another one. We get better with every book, as long as we don’t stop learning.

15. Any parting comments? “The Edge of Light” was inspired by the life of one of my female ancestors. Some of it is true, most of it isn’t. I’d love to hear reader’s guesses as to which parts are which. I can be contacted through my website, www.annshorey.com

Ann, thanks so much for a fantastic interview and congratulations on your book. I look forward to reading it.

Cecelia Dowdy is here today...win a free book

Welcome back everyone!

Today, I'd like to welcome Cecelia Dowdy to my blog. Be sure to leave a comment to be placed in the drawing. You might just win a free copy of her book!



Cecelia Dowdy is a world traveler who has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. When she first read Christian fiction, she felt called to write for the genre.She loves to read, write, and bake desserts in her spare time. Currently she resides with her husband and young son in Maryland.


Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves.
Here’s a short summary of Milk Money: Running a dairy farm alone is a big job. When her dad dies, Emily works hard to save the family farm. Her world turns upside down the day Franklin Reese, CPA, pulls in her driveway, announcing he’s there to do an audit. Frank is appalled at the lack of interest Emily has in her farm’s finances, but he’s determined to help her learn. The further he looks into Mr. Cooper’s dealings, the more uncomfortable he becomes. As he uncovers the truth about Mr. Cooper’s finances, he struggles with his own issues. Can Emily love Frank since he’s an unsaved alcoholic?
Readers should run out and buy my book because it’s a good story that shows how we can lean on God to overcome alcoholic addiction.


How many full manuscripts did you write before you sold? Or if you’re pre-pubbed, how many have you written to date? I lost track of how many books I’d written before I sold. However, I was writing for five and a half years before I sold my first novel.

In your opinion, what’s the most fascinating thing about writing? Being able to use my imagination to create stories that others will read. Just knowing that thousands of people will be reading the words on the final printed page gives me a euphoric feeling!

What’s something you can tell us about yourself that most people don’t know? Growing up, I used to get a majority of my reading material from the bookmobile that came through my neighborhood every two weeks.

Me too! I had the schedule memorized and would run out to get the next Nancy Drew book! LOL.

When did you start writing for publication and what did people say when they found out? I started seriously writing for publication in 1994. I heard a wide range of reactions from friends. Some said I needed to be friends with people at the publishing house in order to get a contract. Others said I needed a lot of money to publish a book, so I’d never be able to afford to put my work in print. I had to patiently explain that I wasn’t trying to self publish, and they were shocked that publishers actually paid advances and royalties, with the author never paying a dime toward the publication expenses for their novels! I was glad to educate some people about the publishing process!

What is your favorite food? I like tomato-based foods like spaghetti, lasagna, and pizza. I also enjoy desserts. My favorite desserts are chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and lemon pound cake.

Tell us a little about your family.
I’ve been married for five years! We have a three-year-old son. Our life has really changed since we had our son. Currently we’re just raising our bright, inquisitive son while we work full-time. My husband is a computer programmer for the IRS and we met on an online dating service!

Who are your favorite authors?
Too many favorites to name! I love veteran author Janette Oake, and I also enjoy Robin Lee Hatcher, Brandilyn Collins, and the late Jane Peart. These are just a few of my favorites! I love a lot of authors!

What are you reading now and what’s in your “to be read” pile?
Believe it or not, I’m reading a secular novel right now: Twilight. I kept hearing about this book and movie, and whenever I hear a lot of buzz about a book, I have to read it! My to-be-read pile includes lots of titles: Love Finds You In Valentine Nebraska by Irene Brand
Showdown by Ted Dekker
Before The Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkand
My Soul To Keep by Davis Bunn
The Making of Isaac Hunt and Loving Cee Cee Johnson (that’s two novels) by Linda Leigh Hargrove
I also have just about every Heartsong Presents and Heartsong Presents cozy mystery novel published within the last year. I probably won’t read them all, but I will pick and choose which ones I’ll read.
Plus an ever-growing pile of more books that I don’t have the time to list!
10. Do you set out to write each story with a particular theme or does the theme develop as the story does? The theme develops as the story does.

Do you have a particular method for tracking the details in your story? Can you tell us a little about this? I’ll use a timeline or a wall calendar to be sure things are in sequence. Also, if I have to research details, I’ll use the internet a lot. Since Milk Money takes place on a dairy farm, me, my husband, and our son went to a small family dairy farm in Maryland during their evening milking. I assisted in the milking process and I also asked the farmer a plethora of questions about his farming routine. He was a wealth of information and my son loved seeing those cows!

Who has had the most influence on your life in general? In your writing life?
If I had to pick someone, it would be my Mom who’s had the greatest influence in my life! As far as writing, I think about authors I read growing up, which probably influenced my decision to become a writer. I recall reading the Nancy Drew mystery series and Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House On the Prairie Series. Rosemary Rogers was the first romance author I read when I was in high school. Later, not long after I’d started my own writing, I read Janette Oake’s novels and loved them!

Do you have an agent? If yes, did you have the agent before you sold your first book or after?
No, I don’t have an agent. I’ve sold five books without an agent, but, I’m currently searching for an agent now.

What advice do you have for a beginning author?
Learn the craft and fellowship and learn from published authors via writers organizations like Romance Writers of America (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)

Any parting comments?
Thanks for hosting me on your blog! It’s been fun!

Thanks for being here. It's been fun getting to know you a little better.

Susan Page Davis is my guest today...leave a comment and enter win a free book!

Susan Page Davis is my guest today! Thanks for stopping by, Susan.

Leave a comment and be put in the drawing for her latest release.

Susan Page Davis is a Maine native. She writes romantic suspense and mysteries. Her historical romances have won several awards. The daughter of a naval officer turned law enforcement officer, she grew up loving horses and books and took a degree in history. It all comes together in the stories she writes.




1. Plug time! Please tell us a little about your latest release and why readers should run out and buy it as soon as it hits the shelves.


Inside Story is an exciting, military-themed suspense book that will keep you turning the pages. Claudia Gillette is a high-powered journalist who will go to any lengths to get a story. Bill White is a Navy Lieutenant on a secret operation. If they could stay in the same hemisphere long enough for a date, things might go more smoothly for them. As it is, Claudia drops in unexpectedly on Bill’s clandestine mission. They’ll be lucky to get out of it alive, let alone speaking to each other.

2. How many full manuscripts did you write before you sold?
Oh, about twenty, I’d say. I know you’re laughing when you read that, but it’s true. First I wrote several police procedural mystery-suspense books. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was fun and I began to learn the craft. Then I wrote several contemporary romances. I tried a few novellas and a children’s book. Finally I turned to historical romance, and got a hit. And, in case you’re wondering, a few of those earlier attempts were later resurrected and sold. Book four in my police series, for instance. After a complete overhaul, it became a Love Inspired Suspense book. One of the novellas was lengthened into a full-length book. A few others have also found their way into print.

3. In your opinion, what’s the most fascinating thing about writing?
The way it transports you into a totally different world.

4. What’s something you can tell us about yourself that most people don’t know?
I had a major stroke on January 8, 1997. For about 24 hours, I couldn’t read or write. The “language” area of my brain was affected. I could talk, but I had trouble finding the right words. Through God’s grace, within 48 hours I was well on the way to recovery, and have no residual effects. Despite 9 days of testing and observation, my doctors never found a cause. I’m rejoicing in the gift that has been the last 11 years.

Wow, that's incredible! Isn't God amazing?

5. When did you start writing for publication and what did people say when they found out?
I started writing fiction in the summer of 1999. I’d been writing nonfiction articles for newspapers and magazines before that, so I don’t think they were shocked. But when my first short story was published in Woman’s World, some folks sat up and took notice. A couple of years later I sold my first book. For the most part, people I knew were thrilled and excited for me. It’s funny, but with 19 books in print, I’m still bumping into people I’ve known for years who don’t know I’m a published author.

6. What is your favorite food?
Fruit of just about any type.

7. Tell us a little about your family.
My husband, Jim, is a news editor. We have six children (four college grads, three of whom are married, and two still in the home schooling process). We also have five grandchildren, all of whom live at least 1,200 miles from our home in Maine.

8. Who are your favorite authors?
I keep going back to Dick Francis, Ellis Peters, and Alexander McCall Smith for mystery. I read lots of genres and enjoy discovering new authors, but old friends are the best.

9. What are you reading now and what’s in your “to be read” pile?
Right now I’m reading an older Dick Francis book I somehow missed: Driving Force. It’s good. My TBR pile includes a Martha Grimes novel and a Patricia Cornwell. I recently read Nancy Mehl’s cozy mysteries and loved them (Cozy in Kansas series). A few other books I recently polished off: novella collection A Bride by Christmas; John Olson’s Fossil Hunter; Marcia Gruver’s Diamond Duo; Smith’s The Good Husband of Zebra Drive; and DiAnn Mills’s A Texas Legacy Christmas.

10. Do you set out to write each story with a particular theme or does the theme develop as the story does?
I set out to write a story, not a theme. Usually a theme runs through it, but I haven’t worked hard to plant it there.

11. Do you have a particular method for tracking the details in your story? Can you tell us a little about this?
I’m low tech about this. I keep a manila folder for each work in progress. I write the main characters’ names and basic information (relationships, physical characteristics) on the outside. In the folder go the synopsis and any other aids I construct for that story, such as timelines, calendars, or character sketches, as well as any pertinent articles I clip, interview notes, or other research aids. When the contract comes, I start a three-ring binder and move everything over there. If I do research on line, I print what I use and file it in the binder, too, along with correspondence and rough drafts.

12. Who has had the most influence on your life in general? In your writing life?
After the Lord, that would definitely be my husband, Jim. Every aspect of my life is affected by him. He also plays a big part in my writing. He reads through every manuscript before I submit it. He’s great at catching inconsistencies and typos. We’re now thinking of writing a book together.

13. Do you have an agent? If yes, did you have the agent before you sold your first book or after?
Yes, I have an agent I’ve worked with for two years now. I did not have an agent when I sold my first book. I connected with my first agent shortly after that sale, and we worked together for three years. Then I found my present agent. It seems to be a good fit for both of us.

14. What advice do you have for a beginning author?

Read. Write. Listen. Repeat.
15. Any parting comments?

Come visit me on my Website: www.susanpagedavis.com. You can view a book trailer there for Inside Story, enter a contest, and see my daughter (and mystery co-author) Megan’s wedding picture, among other things.

Thanks so much, Susan for stopping by. I look forward to what readers have to say and to drawing a winner from the comments!