Guest Blog Lena Nelson Dooley and Mary's Blessing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LENA NELSON DOOLEY is an award-winning author with has more than 690,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s a member of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.

Her 2010 release, Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico from Summerside Press, recently won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western literature for fiction. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms. The first book released in October 2011. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Books of 2011 list. The second is Mary’s Blessing, which released this month.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 
Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lenandooley/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley

MARY'S BLESSING
by Lena Nelson Dooley
Published by Charisma House/Realms

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Lena Nelson Dooley paints a vivid picture of all the tragedies and triumphs of nineteenth-century life. The charming characters, godly themes, and tender love story will leave you wanting more and eagerly awaiting her next book.” —Margaret Brownley, New York Times best-selling author of Brides of Last Chance Ranch

When her mother dies, Mary Lenora must grow up quickly to take care of her brothers and sisters. Can love help her to shoulder the burden?

Mary Lenora Caine knows she is adopted. As she was growing up, her mother called her “God’s blessing.” But now that she’s gone, Mary no longer feels like any kind of blessing. Her father, in his grief, has cut himself off from the family, leaving the running of the home entirely in Mary’s hands.

As she nears her eighteenth birthday, Mary can’t see anything in her future but drudgery. Then her childhood friend Daniel begins to court her, promising her a life of riches and ease. But her fairy-tale dreams turn to dust when her family becomes too much for Daniel, and he abandons her in her time of deepest need.

Will Daniel come to grips with God’s plan for him? And if he does return, can Mary trust that this time he will really follow through?

Readers, buy your copy of Mary's Blessing today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Of Great Importance in My Writing Life

One of the most important things in this author’s life is my readers. I love all of you. Hearing from you is a high point of my day. Even if you didn’t like some aspect of my book, I like to hear from you. I want to connect with you in every way I can. And you can find me on a lot of online venues—Facebook, Twitter, Shoutlife, Pinterest, Goodreads, my blog, and my web site.

I’m really interested in book clubs and reading groups. I enjoy connecting with you through the electronic technology of telephone calls or Skype video. I’m happy to answer questions about the stories, why I wrote them, and any other question you may have.

My newest series McKenna’s Daughters. The heroines were born on one of the last wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. Their mother died giving birth, and because of the circumstances, they were separated. It’s not until they are about eighteen years old that they learn they have two sisters. And the desire to find their sisters is strong in each of them.

Books one and two are stand alone novels, which can be read in any order. But you’ll probably want to read book one and two before book three releases in January 2012.

Maggie’s Journey released in October 2011. I’ve heard from a lot of readers. Many of they have been adoptees. They were interested in that aspect of the book, which was set in1885 in Washington Territory. Maggie journey took her to Little Rock, Arkansas, by train.

Maggie had grown up the spoiled daughter in a wealthy family. She had no idea she was adopted. Most people were intrigued by the way she found out. One Christian reviewer put Maggie’s Journey on her Top Books of 2011 list.

Mary’s Blessing released this month. Mary has always known she was adopted, but because her mother died when she was eleven years old, no one told her the circumstances. That information really affected her when she found out. Her mother had called her God’s Blessing, but she didn’t feel like anyone’s blessing. Her spiritual and romantic journey intertwine in an interesting and surprising way.

If you didn’t get a chance to read book one, we’ll give away a copy to one lucky (or I should say blessed) reader.

* * * * *

Thank you, Lena, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: Have you ever let an author know when something in a book bothered you? Have you ever contacted an author and let that person know how much their book meant to you? In either case, what happened?

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 Maggie's Journey. 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.

Welcome Martha Rogers and Autumn Song

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARTHA ROGERS is the author of the Winds Across the Prairie series which is four books about Oklahoma with a prequel, Amelia’s Journey coming in January. Her new series, Seasons of the Heart now has books one and two released. Not on the Menu, was part of a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo; and River Walk Christmas, a novella collection with Beth Goddard, Lynette Sowell, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. A former schoolteacher and English instructor, Martha has a master’s degree in education and lives with her husband in Houston, Texas where they are active in the ministry at their church. When not writing, Martha enjoys spending time with her family which includes nine grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

AUTUMN SONG
by Martha Rogers
Published by Charisma Media

ABOUT THE BOOK

Why does everyone think a girl’s only lot in life is to find a husband and settle down?

Kathleen Muldoon is twenty-three and tired of ranch living. Fiercely independent and determined to become a nurse, she has left her family’s ranch to study medicine under Old Doc Jensen andlive in town with her Aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse.

Daniel Monroe has just arrived in Porterfield to set up his law practice. Sparks fly when he is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse, but the initial attraction quickly dissolves into an argument—the first of many. Daniel is enamored with Kate but uncomfortable with her independent spirit and dreams of becoming a nurse.

When trouble erupts between the ranchers and lumberjacks over timber rights, Kate is furious to learn that Daniel has worked out an agreement she believes will destroy her father’s land. Can they overcome their pride and help each other become everything God wants them to be?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

Readers, buy your copy of Autumn Song today!

Summer Dream and Autumn Song are now available from CBD, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Check with your local Christian book store for availability. E-book editions will also be available. These are available from the Realms fiction, a division of Charisma Media.

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

What Does Age Have to Do With Anything?

We make so many excuses for not submitting our writing. I don’t have enough time. I have too many other obligations. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’ve got too many rejections. I don’t have an agent. Any sound familiar? If I had used the excuse of age, I would never have been published. My agent believed in me and kept submitting my manuscripts. When I wanted to quit, friends encouraged me to keep on.

When God calls us to a task, He expects us to finish it. If we’re obedient to that call, He will give us what we need to complete it because He who began the work in us will carry through until it’s completed. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary when we’re doing God’s work because we’ll reap a harvest when God sets the time.

At one time I asked God if He’d forgotten how old I was getting and how time passed by. Of course He knows how old I am and how long I have on this earth. I just wished He’d let me in on His plans. With so many younger authors were getting contracts and having success, I began to think it would never happen to me, but I persevered, not ready to give up.

Well, God doesn’t forget. He doesn’t sleep. He never quits work. He’s always there willing to help us reach our goals when we call on Him for help. The Lord does expect us to do our part. That part is to put ourselves in that chair and write.

Whether you first contract comes at age twenty-three or seventy-three, God’s timing is always perfect. He’ll never let us down. The answer may not always be what we hoped and prayed for, but His answer is the best for us at that time. It always is.

I’ll be 75 in two months and by that time I will have five novels and one novella published with another five novels contracted. When God opened the door for me, He kicked it wide open. Prayer, perseverance and patience reaped the harvest at the time God ordained.

Do whatever it takes to write. Quit making excuses. If you’re serious, God will help you find the time, face rejection, find an agent, or create the stories. At other times He may tell you to wait a season and take care of other things first. Listen to His voice and calling. Write as much as you can when you can. Be patient, and pray for His guidance in all that you do. Jeremiah tells you to call on Him, and He will answer and tell you great things you do not know. Jeremiah also tells us that God has great plans for us, plans to give us hope and a future. So press on to what God has called you to do whether it is to wait for a season to begin or whether it is to work hard now. Pressing on will lead you where you need to go.

* * * * *

Thank you, Martha, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: So what excuses have you used to keep from submitting? And if you aren't a writer, what excuses have you used to keep you from doing what God is calling you to do in your life?

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. 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.

Welcome Lena Nelson Dooley and Maggie's Journey

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lena Nelson Dooley is an award-winning author with more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers-—where she received the Mentor of the Year award in 2006-—and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network (CAN), CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. She lives in Hurst, Texas, with her husband of almost 47 years.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and with her internationally-connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. You can check out her books and find out more about her on her blog by clicking the tabs across the top.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

MAGGIE'S JOURNEY
by Lena Nelson Dooley
Published by Realms/Charisma House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maggie's Journey grabs you on page one with characters and events that reflect real-life joys and heartaches that change the characters forever. Make room on your "keepers" shelf! —Loree Lough, best-selling author of 80 award-winning books, including From Ashes to Honor.

A girl who’s been lied to her whole life...

Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by the ones who raised her.

Maggie desires a place where she belongs. But her mother’s constant criticism and reminders that she doesn't fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family secret, all sense of her identity is lost.

When Maggie asks to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner, Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?

Readers, buy your copy of Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

A Day in the Life of an Author

Yes, I write novels, and I’m multi-published, even award-winning, but that often takes a back seat to the here and now. I will give you a peek into my Mondays.

During the extremely hot summer we’ve had in Texas, I got up really early. My laundry is in the garage, and by midday, the heat is stifling. So I’m up early to separate the clothes and put in the first load. If I’m really tired, I set the timer and sit in the recliner and rest (snooze) while that load washes. At the ding, I’m off to the garage, where I set up two large fans and put the first load in the dryer, then start the second load. I always wash the loads with my clothes that need to be hung up from the dryer first.

After the second load is in, I go to the office and read email, answering what needs to be answered. Then I do my first set of physical therapy exercises while watching one of the local channels to see what’s happening where I live.

I finish those exercises in time to go to the garage to hang up the first load. By then, James has awakened. Since he’s now retired, he comes out to put the next load in while I’m hanging up the first one. That’s a great help in getting things done before I’m totally wiped out.

I cook us breakfast.

After that, I’m back in the office for a couple hours, stopping to hang up the second load when it is ready. At least James will completely finish the last two loads.

During all of this, I’m careful not to forget the heart medication and other vitamins and herbs I take in the morning. I’m working on my rewrite of book two in the McKenna’s Daughter series. Soon I will continue writing book three.

James and I eat a late lunch about 2:00 pm. And I work for the rest of the day until suppertime. Right now, we’re watching a lot of the Texas Ranger baseball games in the evening. But when it’s at a slow time, I’ll read part of a book.

Oh, the glamorous life of an author. Of course, some days we go to the movies as we did this week. We saw Seven Days in Utopia. A very good G-rated movie. And recently, we saw The Help.

And of course, by the time you read this, I’ll be just returning from the American Christian Fiction Writers national conference in St. Louis.

James and I are very active in our church and involved with our extended family, but this is a typical day in the life of an author.

So what do you do on a typical day in your life? It might be more glamorous than mine.

* * * * *

Thank you, Lena, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: So what do you do on a typical day in your life?

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 Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe. 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.

Welcome Andrea Boeshaar and Undaunted Faith

I am pleased to host Andrea Boeshaar here today. She has been an inspiration to me in my own writing career, and she's helped countless other authors realize their publishing dreams.


Please interact with our guest authors by answering the question they provide. Your response will also enter you in the drawing for a free book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANDREA BOESHAAR has 26 published novels, 8 published novellas, and a host of collective nonfiction under her belt. She knows the peaks and valleys of the publishing industry and loves to share her experience with other writers. She was an agent for more than 10 years, but is now writing full-time and is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

Some of Andrea’s recent titles (2008 to present) include: Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky (Summerside Press); Be Still…and Let Your Nail Polish Dry (nonfiction with authors Sandie Bricker, Loree Lough, and Debby Mayne – Summerside Press); Heartland Heroes (a collection of 3 short novels, Barbour Publishing) and Seasons of Redemption series, which includes: Unwilling Warrior (Realms/Charisma House) Uncertain Heart (Realms) Unexpected Love (Realms) and Undaunted Faith (Realms). Another series, Fabric of Time, is already contracted for. The first book Threads of Hope will be released in January of 2011.

Additionally, Andrea is a certified Christian life coach. She is presently taking classes to be certified in Christian counseling.

Andrea is a cofounder of ACFW. She’s taught at several of the organization’s conferences as well as the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, Write-To-Publish, and Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

For more info, visit Andrea on the web, at: www.andreaboeshaar.com.

UNDAUNTED FAITH
by Andrea Boeshaar
Published by Realms/Charisma House

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can the McCabe Brothers Find Love Amidst the Chaos of the Arizona Territory?

The McCabe brothers have their hands full. Trouble on the range and trouble in town. But they never expected their sweet schoolteacher, Bethany Stafford, to join in the mix of woe. When her reputation is unfairly tarnished, Pastor Luke McCabe is quick to propose marriage. But Bethany wants better than just a marriage of necessity to save her good name. Could Luke ever come to love a plain "little field mouse" like her?

Dr. Annetta Cavanaugh has her own questions about men and their intentions. While Pastor Jake McCabe seems sincere, she still has her doubts about him. But after he accompanies her on a medical call, she sees a whole new side of him and can't help but admit her attraction to the handsome pastor.

However, there's evil brewing in town--a lawlessness that even the sheriff cannot tamp down. Finally, it comes face-to-face with both Luke and Jake and it threatens the lives of the women they love. Are the McCabe brothers ready for the fight of their lives?

Readers, buy your copy of Undaunted Faith (Seasons of Redemption #4) today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Catching Your Dream

Do you have a dream, a goal, a vision for your life? Does it seem to be just short of your grasp?

I am an author of fiction and nonfiction, but I am I certified Christian life coach also. I enjoy encouraging and motivating other writers so I would like to share 3 ideas that might help you attain your dream – and change your life.

1) Pray about your dream-goal. If you’re like me, then you have lots of ideas. Not every one is worthy of our time – or is God’s will for your life.

We can get busied up in all kinds of meaningless things. So begin a journal and write down all the things you’re involved in. Pray over each one and ask God which to eliminate so you’ll have the time to journey down the God-given path for your life.

2) Practice “planned abandonment.”

In her book Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones writes: “Planned abandonment doesn’t mean walking away from something that is difficult or isn’t working anymore. Planed abandonment means choosing between good and great, between better and best. Planned abandonment means that you are able to say no to all that glitters and discern what truly shines.”

I like to tell clients to search out all the EWs in their lives. I know EWs crowd in on me when I least expect them. EWs are “energy wasters” and we’ve all got them. They can be the meaningless business I previously mentioned and they can be people who suck your time. So, you know that neighbor who comes over every night to sit on the couch and bloviate? Well, as you begin to eliminate EWs that neighbor may have to find himself another roosting place.

3) Participate in your own life. Don’t just talk about all things you want to do someday – do them!

I recently watched the movie The Music Man and near the end of the motion picture, Professor Harold Hill tells Marian the librarian something quite profound, I think. He says something like, “If you keep putting everything off until tomorrow, all you’ll have is a collection of empty yesterdays.” How true that is!

And just remember, Tomorrow and Someday are days of the week on a planet that doesn’t exist! So quit procrastinating (and I’m pointing one finger at myself too!), turn off the “boob tube” (as my father called the television) and take steps toward accomplishing your personal goals. It doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. Only small footsteps.

Dare to dream – and imagine yourself a part of that vision. It’ll change your life. God has put that power in us all. And with Jesus as our ultimate Life Coach, all things are possible!

* * * * *

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What dream(s) do you have for which you have told yourself you'll accomplish "someday" or you'll begin working toward it "tomorrow"?

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.