Blog Tour - Susan May Warren and Finding Stefanie

I may be ending out the 2-week blog tour for this book, but I'm only one stop along the way in helping promote Susie's latest release that brings a phenomenal 3-book series to a close. Here is a link to the blog tour schedule (it will come in handy later):

http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/2008/07/finding-stefani.html

Check it out for other chances to win free copies of this book and learn even more about Susie.

And a BONUS for this tour is a contest where you can be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theatre of your choice. Read below for the details.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SUSAN MAY WARREN is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.

FINDING STEFANIE
by Susan May Warren
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

ABOUT THE BOOK

When she put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch, she never imagined they would slip out of sight. Luckily for Stefanie, those dreams are about to come knocking at her door.

Lincoln Cash has gained fame and fortune on the big screen, but a crippling secret leaves him one last chance to make his mark on the movie industry. With dreams of hosting a new film festival, Lincoln intends to remodel a sprawling ranch in eastern Montana to make it the new Hollywood hot spot.

Unfortunately, a house fire threatens his plans. So does opposition from his new neighbor Stefanie Noble, who's not thrilled about his Tinseltown changes. What Lincoln and Stefanie don't know is that the fire won't be the last disaster to threaten Lincoln or his future. Someone is out for revenge... but who? And who is the real target?

Buy Your Copy of Beach Dreams Today!

Read an Excerpt

MEET STEFANIE'S BROTHERS

Taming Rafe - In less than eight seconds, two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble lost his title, his career, his best friend-all on the dirt floor of a noisy rodeo arena. Now he has no choice but to head back to the Silver Buckle, but not before he accidentally destroys philanthropist Katherine Breckenridge's NY Charity event. Now she's in town, wanting his money - or his help. And the last thing this broken bull rider is going to do is give her his heart. But Nick's little brother is going to learn just was it takes to tame the heart of a rebel...

Read chapter one

Reclaiming Nick - What was his father thinking? Yes, Nick betrayed his family, his legacy and hasn't been home in nearly a decade, but did that mean his father had to leave the Noble Family ranch to Nick's worst enemy? Nick doesn't care what it takes - Cole St. James isn't going to get a blade of Silver Buckle ranchland. Old secrets and second chances await Nick when he travels home to reclaim his past. Just how far will God go to redeem a prodigal?

Read chapter one

CONTEST

In addition to a book giveaway, you can participate in a special contest related to Finding Stefanie.

Grab your magnifying glass and join me on a Fact-o-Find!

Answer these questions about the bloggers on the tour and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theater of your choice (you know so you can see some of Cash's great movies *G*)!

Email Amy your answers (amy@susanmaywarren.com) Ready, get set, giddy-up!

1. Which blogger is adopting a girl from China?
2. This word 'featherbunkle' is found on which blog?
3. Which blogger is supporting the 'Pickens Plan'?
4. Which blog is "The Cutest Blog on the Block"?
5. Which blogger is a S@HM and also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, nursery director, and woman that is just trying to keep it all together?
6. Which blogger is taking the Southern Reading Challenge?
7. Which blog asks 'How may we serve you'?
8. Which blogger refers to her son as 'super good big guy'?
9. Which blogger is a self-proclaimed 'Starbucks Addict'?
10. Which blogger is a big Trekkie?

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of Finding Stefanie.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

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

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Spotlight on Susan May Warren and Chill Out, Josey

Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels and novellas with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A three-time Christy award finalist, and three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice contest, Susan currently has over 500,000 books in print. A seasoned women's events speaker and writing teacher, she's taught at the American Christian Fiction Writer's conference for the past three years, and she runs a fiction editing service (http://www.mybooktherapy.com/) training writers how to tell a great story. After serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries in Khabarovsk, Far East Russia she now writes full-time while her husband runs a hotel on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Her most recent book is Chill Out, Josey! The hilarious adventures of a Minnesota girl who finds herself newly married, and pregnant…in Russia! (not autobiographical, or anything…) For more information, go to http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

CHILL OUT, JOSEY
by Susan May Warren
Published by Tyndale

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

1. This is the sequel to your first chic lit, Everything's Coming Up Josey. You've got Josey and her husband headed back to Russia for another adventure. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I loved writing Josey's introduction to missions, and her first adventure in Moscow. I learned so much in my freshman year of being a missionary, and I loved watching Josey grow into her trust in God's plan. But she had so much more to learn! And she wasn't the only one – although we met Chase in the first book, I wanted to see him as a newlywed husband, and how he would adapt to Russian life. I remember vividly the challenges and craziness of being pregnant in Russia, and thought, what if Josey were a newlywed AND pregnant in Russia? And what if Josey, seeing Chase's excitement about living in Russia, didn’t want to douse his dreams…and didn't tell him about her pregnancy? I remember when I discovered I was pregnant – right during our fundraising for Russia! I wondered…if my husband knew, would he still want to go?And if he didn't, would he always wonder what could have been? It was this question that drove Chill Out, Josey. It's about being a newlywed…and trusting God's love, all the way around the world.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of Josey? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

My close friends laugh out loud when they read Josey because they know how alike Josey and I are. From her determination to her love of bagels! But not everything about Josey is me – for example, I'm a great cook, and know how to improvise in the kitchen. And, I'm a little more practical in my footwear. But as for Josey’s spiritual lessons? Yep, all me. And the pregnancy stories…true, every one!

3. What themes exist in Chill Out, Josey that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

As I was writing the "Josey" series (and yes, there is a number 3!) I was studying the book of Ephesians. One of the main themes is the breadth of God's love for us, and how that changes us. I really wanted Josey to feel abandoned by Chase in this book, event hough they were newlyweds. It so often happens in missions that the husband throws himself into his new projects and the wife gets left in the dust. I remember vividly when I sat at home with two toddlers, pregnant, thinking…what happened? I didn't sign up to do this alone! And that's when God showed me how much he loved me in so many creative ways. I wanted Josey to experience God's creative love. And I am hoping that it prompts other moms to look for God's creative love in their lives as well.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The most difficult part to write was also the spiritual theme. Although I knew what I was getting at, there is so much in Ephesians, as well as newlywed life that I could use, (ie, the Proverbs 31 woman!) that I struggled with not putting in TOO many spiritual themes. I struggled to streamline it and now throw in ALL the lessons I learned as a young mother in Russia. And, I really wanted to show Josey growing from the self-centered person she'd been to deeper…although with enough growth left for a book 3!

My favorite part of the book to write was the "Bus Lady" scene (true story!) and the watermelon scene (also, a true story). And I again laughed out loud remembering my own "doctor" experiences. I probably laughed harder writing this book than my readers will (although I hope not!), just because I had so much fun remembering the actual events that inspired the fiction!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next Josey book, Get Cozy, Josey! comes out next year at this time. Join Josey as she and Chase head to…Siberia! Just when should a girl say NO?

My next BOOK is Taming Rafe, the story of a bull-rider whose world crashes at his feet, and the woman who helps him put it all back together again….it comes out January 2008!

Thanks for having me, Tiff!
Hugs!

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE, autographed copy of Chill Out, Josey. If you don't wish to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Otherwise you might miss out on winning a book.

Susie will be back to respond to any comments or questions you leave. This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.