Carol Cox and Trouble in Store Giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAROL COX is the author of 30 novels and novellas. A third-generation Arizonan, Carol has a lifelong fascination with the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. She makes her home with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play--often within view of the family's front porch.

TROUBLE IN STORE
by Carol Cox
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fired from her most recent governess position, Melanie Ross must embrace her last resort: the Arizona mercantile she inherited from her cousin. But Caleb Nelson is positive he inherited the mercantile, and he's not about to let some obstinate woman with newfangled ideas mess up all he's worked for. He's determined to get Melanie married off as soon as possible, and luckily there are plenty of single men in town quite interested in taking her off his hands. The problem is, Caleb soon realizes he doesn't want her to marry up with any of them. He's drawn to Melanie more every day, and he has to admit some of her ideas for the store unexpectedly offer positive results.

But someone doesn't want the store to succeed, and what used to be just threatening words has escalated into deliberate destruction and lurkers in the night. When a body shows up on the mercantile steps--and the man obviously didn't die from natural causes--things really get dangerous. Can Melanie and Caleb's business--and romance--survive the trouble that's about to come their way?

Readers, buy your copy of Trouble in Store today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Researching a story is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. You just never know where it will take you! When it came to writing Trouble in Store, there were a number of topics I needed to learn about, from 19th-century mercantiles to Native American cliff dwellings to patent medicines.

The Ross-Nelson Mercantile (the store Caleb and Melanie squabble over in the book) has a number of quirky customers, including Idalou Fetterman. Mrs. Fetterman is a great believer in the curative powers of patent medicines and spends a lot of time browsing the shelves in search of the ideal remedy for whatever happens to be ailing her that day.

Back in 1885, these "miracle" medicines weren't produced by pharmaceutical companies, but by self-proclaimed experts who often billed themselves as doctors, although it's doubtful that many (or any!) of them actually had medical degrees. The labels bore colorful names . . . and boasted equally colorful claims.

Dr. Sherman's Prickly Ash Bitters billed itself as the cure for biliousness, vertigo, or a torpid liver, and contained "only the purest drugs, among which may be enumerated: prickly ash, mandrake, buchu, button snake, senna." I don’t know about you, but I have yet to reach for a dose of buchu or button snake when I’m feeling under the weather.

A little research turned up the information that the government declared the good doctor's remedy misbranded. That may have had something to do with the fact that the cure-all (which contained 20% alcohol) was recommended in wineglassful doses three times a day, but was declared to be "not an intoxicating beverage."

Then there's Dr. Kilmer's Female Remedy, the Great Blood Purifier and System Regulator, one of the best known quack medicines of the 19th century. The company was one of the first firms to advertise nationally, and targeted this nostrum at medical problems specific to women. Dr. Kilmer's nostrum also contained a substantial amount of alcohol and couldn't do much more for his female patients than make them a bit tipsy for a time.

And let's not forget Seelye's Wasa-Tusa. The name alone is enough to catch your attention, even before learning it was guaranteed to bring about good results with: muscle soreness, bruises, headache, toothache, earache, colic, and cramps. If something ached, it was Wasa-Tusa time!

Hostetter's Celebrated Bitters became a national best-seller in the 1850s. During the Civil War, it was marketed to soldiers as "a positive protective against the fatal maladies of the Southern swamps, and the poisonous tendency of the impure rivers and bayous." By now, you probably won't be shocked to learn the original formula was made up of about 47% alcohol--an amount so high that it was served by the the glass in Alaskan saloons. I'm sure those Alaskans were reassured to know they wouldn't fall prey to any maladies contracted in an impure bayou!

In addition to the widespread prevalence of alcohol, most patent medicines included vegetable extracts. Since there was no regulation on the ingredients, their curative properties were often doubtful . . . and could be deadly. Many were also laced with morphine, opium, or cocaine while being advertised for use with children and infants--which sometimes ended in tragic results.

Even so, these hucksters found a ready market for their goods. By the middle of the 19th century, the manufacture of patent medicines had become a major industry in America.

Doctors and medical societies spoke out in increasing numbers, and even more strident opposition came from the temperance movement, which protested the use of alcohol in medicines. It's no surprise that the manufacturers fought against regulation of any kind, and their resistance was aided by the press, since many newspapers had become dependent on money received from advertising these remedies.

We can all be grateful for the Pure Food and Drug Act, enacted in 1906, which required manufacturers to list ingredients on their labels and restricted misleading advertising. That's a very good thing for us . . . and Mrs. Fetterman should be grateful she's a fictional character!

Question for Readers: Many people today are shying away from traditional medicine and looking for alternative, more natural cures. Some of those seem to make inflated claims similar to the patent medicines of yore . . . but others have proven effective.

What non-traditional remedies have you heard of or used? And were they beneficial or not?

* * * * *

Thank you, Carol, for sharing with us today.

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a free autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the drawing is open to US/Canada residents.

Kimberley Woodhouse and Denali Dreams Giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE is a multi-published author of fiction and non-fiction with Moody, Focus on the Family, B&H Publishing Group, Barbour Publishing, and Bethany House Publishers. A popular speaker/teacher, she’s shared her theme of Joy Through Trials with over 150,000 people at over 1,000 venues across the country. She lives, writes, and homeschools in beautiful Colorado with her husband of more than two decades and their two awesome teens.

Connect with Kim - http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com and http://www.facebook.com/KimberleyWoodhouseAuthor and http://www.twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

DENALI DREAMS
by Kimberley Woodhouse and Ronie Kendig
Published by Barbour

ABOUT THE BOOK

Vast and rugged, Denali National Park brings adventure and love into the lives of four courageous women. Will cancer survivor Karon reach Mt. McKinley’s summit? Will heiress Jolie survive against the terrain and an assassin? Will flightseeing tour guide Deline save her stalling business? Will love conquer all for ranger Deanna?

Readers, buy your copy of Denali Dreams today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Behind the Scenes: Writing with a Co-Author
Kimberley Woodhouse

We get a ton of questions whenever we travel on tours, or just simply through our website. Some are about our Extreme Makeover: Home Edition or one of the other television experiences, a lot are about our daughter Kayla’s rare condition, and a lot are about the writing process.

Over the past year, I’ve received more and more questions about writing with a co-author. My daughter and I wrote No Safe Haven and Race Against Time together, Ronie Kendig and I collaborated on a collection entitled Denali Dreams, and Tracie Peterson and I wrote All Things Hidden releasing from Bethany House January 2014. I wouldn’t say that I’m now an expert on the subject, but I can definitely share my two cents with readers. I know as a reader, I often wondered what went on behind the scenes as well, so I totally understand the curiosity!

Each experience has been totally different, but they’ve all been fun. All the readers who write in want to know how it’s done. In summary? I don’t have a set formula, each collaboration has been unique. But I will say this: the authors need to pray for one another, they need to trust one another, they need to be good communicators, and they need to agree to a plan. :)

Writing with my daughter, Kayla (who became the youngest published full-length novelist from a royalty paying publisher with the release of No Safe Haven), was incredible. I wrote the adult characters’ POVs and she wrote the teens’. We wrote it in twenty-eight days total and had you been a fly on the wall, you would’ve seen lots of scribbling on white boards, jump-drives flying across the room as we shared scenes back and forth, and lots of laughter and M&Ms (Kayla’s favorite).

Writing with my dear friend, and not to mention best-selling author, Ronie Kendig was also incredible. In Denali Dreams (a collection of four novellas set in Alaska about the Talkeetna Rangers), Ronie and I plotted out our stories over the phone, developed our characters, and decided how the stories would tie in to each other. She wrote two of the novellas, and I wrote two. We wrote them in about a week. (Yes, we’re both pretty fast.) And we talked on the phone a lot. Another amazing experience—not just because I love the stories, but because I love Ronie so dearly. If you haven’t read any of her other books, you need to GO BUY THEM NOW. Seriously. She’s awesome.

And last but definitely not least, writing with Tracie Peterson. Wow. What could I possibly say? She’s best-selling and award-winning. Her 100th book will be releasing in 2014. She is one of my closest friends, but I would never have dreamed that I’d be given the opportunity to write with her. With All Things Hidden (1935 Matanuska Colony in Alaska), we did tons and tons of research together. We plotted. And plotted. And plotted some more. The string of emails with all our multi-colored notes back and forth was over forty pages! Then, we wrote a seriously long synopsis together (about thirty pages, again going back and forth), then our drafts of the manuscript went back and forth. It was another incredible experience and I learned so much from it.

Happy Reading!

~Kim

Reader Question: For our giveaway this week, I'd like to ask you-the readers-a question. What is your favorite co-author/collaboration? Leave the title of the book/series and the authors’ names for a chance to win a copy of No Safe Haven, Race Against Time, or Denali Dreams. (One copy of each book will be given away.)

* * * * *

Thank you, Kim, for sharing with us today.

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name [at] domainname [dot] com) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win ONE OF THREE free autographed copies of these three books: Denali Dreams, No Safe Haven, Race Against Time. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the drawing is open to US/Canada residents.

Christy Award Finalists Announced!

It's official! The prestigious Christy Award finalists have been announced! Join with me in congratulating all of the honored nominees!

Contemporary Romance

The Breath of Dawn

by Kristen Heitzmann

Bethany House Publishers

Lethal Legacy

by Irene Hannon

Revell

Wildflowers from Winter

by Katie GanshertWaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas

Two Destinies

by Elizabeth Musser

David C Cook

You Don’t Know Me

by Susan May Warren

Tyndale House Publishers

Waiting for Sunrise

by Eva Marie Everson

Revell

Contemporary Standalone

The Air We Breathe

by Christa Parrish

Bethany House Publishers

Borders of the Heart

by Chris Fabry

Tyndale House Publishers

Not in the Heart

by Chris Fabry

Tyndale House Publishers

First Novel

Into the Free

by Julie Cantrell

David C Cook

Tangled Ashes

by Michèle Phoenix

Tyndale House Publishers

Wedded to War

by Jocelyn Green

River North Fiction

Historical

Flame of Resistance

by Tracy Groot

Tyndale House Publishers

Wedded to War

by Jocelyn Green

River North Fiction

A Wreath of Snow

by Liz Curtis Higgs

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Historical Romance

Against the Tide

by Elizabeth Camden

Bethany House Publishers

Be Still My Soul

by Joanne Bischof

WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Love’s Reckoning

by Laura Frantz

Revell

Suspense

Downfall

by Terri Blackstock

Zondervan

The Last Plea Bargain

by Randy Singer

Tyndale House Publishers

Rare Earth

by Davis Bunn

Bethany House Publishers

Submerged

by Dani Pettrey

Bethany House Publishers

*This category includes four nominees due to a tie in scoring.

Visionary

Daughter of Light

by Morgan L. Busse

Marcher Lord Press

Soul’s Gate

by James L. Rubart

Thomas Nelson

Starflower

by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Bethany House Publishers

Young Adult

Child of the Mountains

by Marilyn Sue Shank

Delacorte Press

Failstate

by John W. Otte

Marcher Lord Press

Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words

by Rachel Coker

Zondervan

BOOK REVIEW: A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

BOOK REVIEW
Title: A Change of Fortune
Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House

All right, so it's no secret that I'm a historical fiction author, which means so much of my world is surrounded by reading and writing and researching historical fiction. I've been reading and studying it for so long, it's difficult to "wow" me in terms of quality stories and writing. Most of that is because I simply don't have the time to explore a large number of different authors hoping to find those gems, but it's also because with 2 little ones under foot, I have to split my reading and writing time out of the limited snippets of time I have available. So, when I find a top-notch author worthy of occupying a spot on my rather small bookshelf, I am sure to sing his/her praises.

This is the case with debut author Jen Turano. Not only do I have the privilege of sharing the wonderful state of Colorado with Jen, but I've even shared a meal with her--the first of which I hope is only the beginning.

For those unaware, there is a "sneak peak" at Hamilton in Jen's A Gentleman of Her Dreams novella, but that glimpse didn't even begin to peel back the layers of his amazing personality. And Eliza? Just how much trouble can a woman robbed of her fortune get into? If you want to know, you'll have to read this book. And trust me when I say you will not be disappointed. Eliza and her antics will keep you turning pages until the last, but a word of warning. Be sure you aren't drinking or eating while you're reading, or you might soil the book (or shower the eBook screen). You also might want to avoid reading if your spouse is sleeping next to you, lest your guffaws stir him/her awake.

I saw another review liken Jen to author Mary Connealy writing regency, and that is an excellent comparison. Humor isn't easy to write in historical novels, and even less so in the Regency/Colonial era. Jen pulls it off with hilarious success. I tip my hat to Jen Turano on this smashing debut!

CFBA Presents Jen Turano and A Change of Fortune

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Change of Fortune Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012) by Jen Turano
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen grew up in the small town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where she spent an idyllic childhood riding her purple spider bike, ice-skating on a little pond and reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books in her tree house. High School was, surprisingly enough, fabulous as Jen spent time with her girlfriends. She headed off to college with no idea of what she wanted to be when she grew up, but settled on pursuing a career in fashion because she thought it sounded glamorous. Her parents thought she’d lost her mind, but they resigned themselves to her choice and after earning a BA degree in Clothing and Textiles, Jen set off to take the fashion world by storm, only to discover retail was certainly not the glamorous career she’d imagined it would be. She moved to Buffalo, New York to take a job in the buying office of a large department store, learning all there was to know about cookware, which again, was hardly glamorous, especially to a girl who did not have a knack for cooking. She met her future husband, Al, a few months after taking this job and eight months later, they were married. After moving into management at another department store and working that for a few years, the company went out of business and Jen decided she’d had enough. One year later her son was born and Jen hung up her heels for good and concentrated on being a mom.

She began dabbling in writing when her son, then in elementary school, said he liked her made up stories as much as those in his books. It was then that she fired up the computer and never looked back.

Jen loves to write humorous stories with quirky characters and a dash of intrigue and finds historical romances especially appealing, seeing as how she’s been reading them since she was a teenager. Her mother gave her a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss, The Flame and the Flower, and Jen was hooked on the genre. When not reading romance, she loves to read mysteries, young adult and her favorite series of all time, Harry Potter.

Besides writing, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Change of Fortune, go HERE.

MY REVIEW

All right, so it's no secret that I'm a historical fiction author, which means so much of my world is surrounded by reading and writing and researching historical fiction. I've been reading and studying it for so long, it's difficult to "wow" me in terms of quality stories and writing. Most of that is because I simply don't have the time to explore a large number of different authors hoping to find those gems, but it's also because with 2 little ones under foot, I have to split my reading and writing time out of the limited snippets of time I have available. So, when I find a top-notch author worthy of occupying a spot on  my rather small bookshelf, I am sure to sing his/her praises.

This is the case with debut author Jen Turano. Not only do I have the privilege of sharing the wonderful state of Colorado with Jen, but I've even shared a meal with her--the first of which I hope is only the beginning.

For those unaware, there is a "sneak peak" at Hamilton in Jen's A Gentleman of Her Dreams novella, but that glimpse didn't even begin to peel back the layers of his amazing personality. And Eliza? Just how much trouble can a woman robbed of her fortune get into? If you want to know, you'll have to read this book. And trust me when I say you will not be disappointed. Eliza and her antics will keep you turning pages until the last, but a word of warning. Be sure you aren't drinking or eating while you're reading, or you might spoil the book (or eBook screen). You also might want to avoid reading if your spouse is sleeping next to you, lest your guffaws stir him/her awake.

I saw another review liken Jen to author Mary Connealy writing regency, and that is an excellent comparison. Humor isn't easy to write in historical novels, and even less so in the Regency/Colonial era. Jen pulls it off with hilarious success. I tip my hat to Jen Turano on this smashing debut!

CFBA Presents Elizabeth Ludwig and No Safe Harbor

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing No Safe Harbor Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Ludwig

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year honors. This book was followed in 2009 by “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned Four Stars from the Romantic Times. Books two and three of Elizabeth’s mystery series, Died in the Wool (Barbour Publishing) and Inn Plain Sight (Spyglass Lane), respectively, released in 2011.

Coming in 2012 is Elizabeth’s newest historical series from Bethany House Publishers. No Safe Harbor, the first book in the Edge of Freedom Series, will release in October, with two more books following in 2013 and 2014.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars, where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoyed a wide readership in its first full year, with more than 17,000 visitors in 2011. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Thrill of Romantic Suspense Meets the Romance of 1800s America

Lured by a handful of scribbled words across a faded letter, Cara Hamilton sets off from 1896 Ireland on a quest to find the brother she'd thought dead. Her search lands her in America, amidst a houseful of strangers and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh.

Despite her brother's warning, Cara decides to trust Rourke and reveals the truth about her purpose in America. But he is not who he claims to be, and as rumors begin to circulate about an underground group of dangerous revolutionaries, Cara's desperation grows. Her questions lead her ever closer to her brother, but they also bring her closer to destruction as Rourke's true intentions come to light.

If you would like to read the first chapter of No Safe Harbor, go HERE.

MY REVIEW

I don't often read romantic suspense. In fact, I can count on less than one hand the number of books I've read in this genre. But when I saw a new novel from Elizabeth set in the 1800s, I had to check it out. Sure glad I did! Of course, I've almost never been disappointed by a novel published by Bethany House, but when it's outside the normal genres I read, it made me slightly cautious. After reading just the first chapter, though, all my concerns faded like the sun setting over the distant mountains.

There aren't many authors who are able to create a strong sense of time and place to the point that you know the story couldn't possibly be set anywhere except its setting. Ludwig delved so intricately into the lives of Cara, Rourke, and Eoghan, and the plight of the Irish, that I felt as if I *were* one of them, struggling in the 1890's against mysterious obstacles and people sending mixed messages. Cara had no idea what she was getting herself into. She only wanted to find her twin brother, whom she thought was dead. But the tale that unfolds is one full of adventure, well-crafted subterfuge, believable danger, unexpected twists and turns, and a development of romance that only God could orchestrate.

If you love romantic suspense or historical novels, you're going to love this book. Don't delay. Pick up your copy today!

Guest Blogger Carol Cox and Love In Disguise

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAROL COX is the author of nearly 30 novels and novellas. A third-generation Arizonan, Carol has a lifelong fascination with the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. She makes her home with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.

LOVE IN DISGUISE
by Carol Cox
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Readers, buy your copy of Love in Disguise today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

One of the things I enjoy most about writing historical novels is the research that goes into them. Poring over musty old books and digging up tantalizing nuggets of information that add texture to a story is an adventure for me, not a chore.

My favorite form of research is making onsite visits to the location where a story is set to get a sense of the sights and sounds my characters would have experienced. It’s exhilarating to walk in the steps of those characters, even if getting inside their heads sometimes means getting odd looks from the people around me . . . and occasionally from my family.

Sometimes an actual town works perfectly for a story. At other times, creating a fictional setting serves the story best, and that was the case when I was writing Love in Disguise. While exploring the back roads of southern Arizona with my husband and daughter, we came upon the site of an old ghost town near the banks of the San Pedro River. The location was made to order for what I had in mind, and so the town of Pickford was born.

Now that I’d decided upon the town’s location, I needed to plan its layout. We were using Tombstone as our headquarters during that trip, and while we walked from our hotel to a restaurant for dinner one evening, it occurred to me that the way Tombstone’s streets are laid out was exactly what I needed for Pickford.

I picked up a local street map and spent the evening locating the points where different scenes would take in the book and marking them on the map. The church, the stage depot, the telegraph office . . . eventually I’d chosen places for them all. It was like creating my own little SimCity!

The next day we set out for the corner where my heroine’s house was situated. My breath caught as I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to experience what Ellie would as she went from one spot to another around Pickford.

“Let’s walk to the Grand Hotel.”

My husband and daughter peered over my shoulder at my revised street plan. “The Grand Hotel . . . which is actually The Bird Cage Theater?”

I nodded happily. It made perfect sense to me, and by now they’ve learned to recognize the signs when I start to slip from the real world into an alternate reality.

I heard faint sighs of resignation as they looked at each other. “Okay, let’s go.”

In no time at all, I felt as completely immersed in my role as Ellie as she was when she took on the roles of Lavinia Stewart and Jessie Monroe in her capacity as an undercover Pinkerton operative. Every step that echoed along the boardwalk seemed to anchor me more firmly in that earlier time as I strode along, nodding to the passersby.

My daughter nudged me. “Why are you holding your camera like that?”

I looked down at the camera, dangling by its strap from my wrist in front of my waist. “It isn’t a camera anymore. It’s my reticule.”

Was that a faint whimper I heard? I thought about reaching out to give her a comforting pat on the arm, but my other hand was busy holding up an imaginary parasol to protect my delicate complexion from the harsh Arizona sun.

As we passed the Pickford stage depot (or in Tombstone, the site of the Longhorn Restaurant), I stepped down off the boardwalk to cross the street, ready to investigate the Pickford Bakery.

A sharp yank on my arm jolted me from my reverie as my husband pulled me to a halt. I blinked and tried to get my bearings. Had the dear man just saved me from being trampled by a runaway horse?

Not exactly. A car was pulling up to the stop sign on the cross street, and he wanted to keep me from stepping out into its path. The realization brought me back to the 21st century with a thud.

That research trip turned out to be one of the most enjoyable I’ve had to date. I hope Pickford will become as real to my readers as it did to me . . . minus the runaway horses and oncoming cars.

* * * * *

Thank you, Carol, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question:  If you could step back in time, what period and place would you visit? Who would you be, and what would you experience there?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of the book featured above OR a heart-shaped pocket mirror with a sticker featuring the cover of the book above. Your choice if you win. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Guest Blogger Becky Wade and My Stubborn Heart

All right, so I have a funny story to share about today's author. She's a debut author with Bethany House, just like our author from last week. Becky, though, happens to share the name with a friend of mine at my church...a lady who does not write at all. Yet, when that Becky went into the bookstore a couple weeks ago, she saw this Becky's book on the shelf and had to pick it up. And she came up to tell me a couple days later. So, I'll be certain to email her a link to this guest post. She'll likely enjoy reading it too. :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BECKY WADE makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband, three children, and one adoring (and adored) cavalier spaniel. Her inspirational contemporary romance, My Stubborn Heart, has just been released by Bethany House.

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins.  These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending.  She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas.  It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing.  She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it.  Her first contemporary Christian romance, My Stubborn Heart, has just been released by Bethany House.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

MY STUBBORN HEART
by Becky Wade
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?


Readers, buy your copy of My Stubborn Heart today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Writers and Food


Tiffany graciously invited me to blog about any topic related to the life of a fiction writer so I decided on the auspicious subject of FOOD.  More particularly, what writers eat, drink, and snack on during writing and how they go about all this nibbling, lunching, and sipping.  I (very un-scientifically) polled my fellow Bethany House authors about their food quirks and the following are the categories that developed.

HEALTHY EATERS:

Deeanne Gist:  "When on deadline, I order healthy food already prepared and boxed in individual portions. I have it delivered. If I don't, then I would subsist on Ding Dongs. Not good."

Tamera Alexander:  "Salads! And gluten free snacks. Our dinners are pretty simple since my husband is diabetic. We do a meat and lots of veggies. Makes cooking a lot easier too. Which leaves more time to write!"

MY-SPOUSE-IS-SO-AWESOME-THAT-THEY-DEAL-WITH-THE-COOKING WRITERS:

Mary Connealy: "My husband does 90% of the cooking these days. So I sit and type and wait for those three little words all women love to hear above all others...........Dinner is ready!"

J. Mark Bertrand: "My wife will come in at six and say, "Ready for dinner?" I'll ask for a few more minutes [to write], and next thing I know it's a quarter to ten."

EAT AT THEIR DESK WRITERS:

Becky Wade: "I fix myself a boring sandwich almost every day for lunch, bring it to my desk, and eat it while I'm writing.  I'm usually just plodding through it so I can get to dessert.  Chocolate, of course!"

Deeanne Gist:  "I eat at my desk, but usually check emails at that time.  When I'm done eating, I go back to writing."

LUNCH BREAK WRITERS:

Ann Tatlock:  "I scrounge the fridge for leftovers, though I very often end up throwing together a salad with cottage cheese and crackers. I take time away from my desk and sit at the kitchen table, reading the newspaper. Then I'm fine until my husband comes home and asks the inevitable: "What should we have for supper?" Arrgg!! Who wants Chinese tonight?!? Call for pizza! Does Applebee's deliver?"

Nancy Mehl:  "I take a lunch break. Two hours. I feel like I need the time to unwind completely."

Tamera Alexander: "I *try* to take a "true lunch break" and step away from the laptop and go sit outside on the deck with my lunch (weather permitting) or grab a book and crash in the keeping room for a few minutes."

COFFEE AND TEA ADDICTS:

Lisa Wingate:  "A nice warm cup of my mom's instant Chai Tea feels like a luxury, but is really pretty healthy.  I just say, "Mom, I'm out of Chai Tea," and within a few days another recycled instant tea jar appears with the mix in it and I'm all set for a month or so."

Elizabeth Camden: "I normally inhale coffee while working......but the heroine of my last manuscript loves Earl Grey Tea....and I developed an odd affinity for it too! I suppose this is an occupational hazard.  I often develop a bizarre affection for whatever my characters really love.  I bought a lot of pricey perfume while working on The Rose of Winslow Street, whose hero is a perfumer."

Nancy Mehl: "I drink coffee or tea while I write. Love it. Don't usually eat, unless it's popcorn."

J. Mark Bertrand:  "When I'm writing, I drink a lot of coffee. Someone gave us a Keurig machine for Christmas, so the last book I wrote probably cost more in coffee pods than the advance will cover! (I'm exaggerating, but those things are pretty expensive.) I'm back on french press and espresso now, which tastes better and isn't nearly as expensive."

Tamera Alexander:  "Iced tea––made with regular tea bags plus one Constant Comment tea bag, and sweetened with Xylitol––served in a wine glass. Every day. No fail. Keep it comin', babe! Why save wine glasses for special occasions? Every day is special. ;)"

Becky Wade: "A mug of hot tea after lunch.  English Teatime with creamer and Truvia.  Steaming hot!"

CHOCOHOLIC SNACKERS:

Regina Jennings: "I'm paranoid about having drinks near the laptop, what with errant footballs flying and naked Barbies in need of dressing flung my direction. Of course, M&Ms won't short out a keyboard, so I keep a supply handy. Peanut is the flavor of choice."

Elizabeth Ludwig:  "All right...I admit it...that's me. I eat trail mix with dark chocolate M&M's added in. Dark chocolate's okay though, right?? Antioxidants. That's what I tell myself. :-)"

Julie Klassen:  "I have a terrible sweet-tooth and on those days when I have to push myself to keep working, a dish of nuts or dried fruit or dark chocolate is sometimes just the "carrot" I need."


* * * * *

Thank you, Becky, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: Attention blog readers!  Spill the beans.  Which of the above categories do you fall into?  What do you most like to eat or drink while writing?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of the book above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Guest Blogger Dani Pettrey and debut novel Submerged

I am thrilled beyond words to feature today's guest blogger. Dani is a dear friend who was with me before I was even published--before either one of us were published. We both persevered, and we've both sold books. Of course, she landed a contract with one of the most prestigious publishing houses of Christian fiction. I dream of one day selling to Bethany House, but for now, I can live vicariously through Dani. :)

For now, let's chat with Dani and celebrate the release of her debut novel, Submerged. Congratulations, Dani!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DANI PETTREY is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

SUBMERGED
by Dani Pettrey
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart... but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

Readers, buy your copy of Submerged today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

For the Love of Words

I was chatting with a fellow writer this weekend and we were discussing our love of words. Not only when they are strung together in story form, but individual words. It was so fun finding a fellow word-lover; someone who loves to learn about words and their nuances. What about you? Have you ever been watching a movie or show and a particular word catches your ear? Do you ever underline words when you read? If so, then you too might be a logophile.

Logophile: a lover of words

I admit it. I am fascinated by words—their origin, their meanings, and especially their sound. Think about it. Some words are punchy like snap and twig. Others are meant to be drawled out like southern or loquacious. My favorites are the ones that roll right off your tongue like glisten or whisper. And, of course, some are just plain fun to say:

shenanigans, frowzy, and loofa.

I’m unsure whether this love stems from a writer’s heart or a reader’s. I’m both. Long before I began writing seriously, I kept journals. I recently went back through a few and wasn’t the least surprised to find words and phrases doodled around the edges of the pages—words I’d heard that intrigued me, unfamiliar words that I later looked up in the dictionary, and, of course, the phrases that have lingered. While I still keep a journal, I’ve developed a Word and Phrase File for easier viewing and retrieval. My friend mentioned she keeps a similar file filled with the words and phrases she’s edited out of her manuscript, but still might use some day.

I’ve pulled a few from my file to share from one word-lover to another. Hope you enjoy!

Hullabaloo: a clamorous noise
Bumbershoot: an umbrella
Flummox: to exasperate
Wabbit: weary
Skosh: a tad

* * * * *

Thank you, Dani, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What about you? What are some of your favorite words? Do you ever jot them down?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of the book above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

Guest Blogger R. J. Larson and The Prophet

Today, I'm thrilled to share with you an author who shares my beloved home city of Colorado Springs...along with several other Christian authors. You're going to love what she has to say about dreams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. J. LARSON is the author of numerous devotionals featured in publications such as Women's Devotional Bible and Seasons of a Woman's Heart. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and their two sons. Prophet marks her debut in the fantasy genre.

PROPHET
by R. J. Larson
Published by Bethany House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified, bad tempered, and only seventeen--not to mention that no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as the elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Yet she cannot live without Him....

Readers, buy your copy of Prophet today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

It’s always a joy to imagine a new plotline. To wander into different worlds and meet new characters whose thoughts or feelings strike a chord that I can relate to—or at least sympathize with in my own life.

As an author, I’ve been asked where I get ideas for my articles and potential books. Well, usually my inspirations strike while I’m rational, calm, awake, and reading the news, watching television, or listening to others. Usually.

However, at the risk of sounding cliché, the initial idea for my latest works first appeared in a dream. Two years ago, I woke up with a vivid image lingering in my thoughts. A frightened young woman kneeling in a dark room, praying, staring at a glowing vinewood branch, while trying to make a life-changing choice: Heed the call of her beloved Creator, knowing His offer meant that she would die young…or…ignore His call and live to be silver-haired and undoubtedly filled with regrets—and her desperate longing to hear His voice throughout her life.

What’s a gal to do?

No, not the young gal in my thoughts! Me. When this unexpected dream-image struck, I was already absorbed in an 1890’s plotline I loved. (Still love!) This new idea wasn’t something I wanted to pursue as an author. This new idea wasn’t historical, it was fantasy—a genre I loved to read, but hadn’t considered writing. I refused to wander into the fantasy realm. It wouldn’t work. Or would it? No. Absolutely not. I sat in front of my computer and faced chapter 8 of my cherished 1890’s novel and tried to concentrate.

By the end of that day, after consuming appalling amounts of chocolate and potato chips, I knew I was in trouble. The frightened young woman now had a name—Ela. And I couldn’t ignore Ela or her beloved Creator, who’d asked Ela to become His prophet. Worse, chapter 8 of my Victorian work in progress remained chapter 8. I’d made no progress because I’d been pestered by Ela, and I was fretting about her. Poor girl! What would happen to her? Could I help her?

*Deep breath.* I was being dragged into a fantasy realm.

In my thoughts, I was no longer enjoying tea and polite conversations in elegant Victorian parlors. I saw no silk gowns and experienced no adventures in the Rocky Mountains with a rambunctious young family. Instead, I saw Ela’s prophet-girl foes, sword fights, royal tyrants, monsters, and Ela’s charming but misguided suitors.

“Lord,” I prayed, “can’t someone else write this story? It’s not me.”

Yes…well…I’m sure the Lord smiled.

After days of resisting and making no further progress on chapter 8, I gave in. I emailed my dear agent, Tamela, explained my difficulty, and begged permission to write fantasy, which is not a genre she usually handles. Tamela—bless her!—agreed to consider this new proposal, PROPHET.

Now, almost two years later, one unwelcomed dream has led to three fantasy novels, the first of which is available through Bethany House Publishers. Will I ever return to my lovely 1890’s novel? I hope so. For now, I’m literally chasing my dream. Or, rather, my dream is chasing me!

* * * * *

Thank you, R.J., for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: Have you been trying to ignore a dream? If so, what is it?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE copy of the book above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to residents of the US/Canada only.