Monday, July 11, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Wings of Promise

Welcome back to Writing for Christ Bonnie Leon, I am excited to have you here for a second time. J What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

I just finished writing book three, Joy Takes Flight, in my Alaskan Skies series. I’ve written several books that take place in Alaska, but this series had a different flavor to it. There was plenty of drama and excitement and of course romance, but it was an adventure and just plain fun. I’m going to miss Alaska, my characters and flying.

I’ve begun the discovery phase of a new series that takes place in 1920’s USA. I’m longing for more time to become acquainted with my characters and to jump into the story, but life’s disruptions have held me back. To put it simply—I’m frustrated.

This series is a bit different from those I’ve done in the past. Each book is tied to the other, but the stories are complete all on their own. This time the titles came to me before the stories, which is unusual. Unless the publisher changes them, they are presently titled A Square Peg, Susie Sunshine, and A Rose by Any Other Name. I’m very excited about this series. The 1920’s was an exhilarating period of history.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

I had the privilege of endorsing a debut book by author, Rosslyn Elliott. Fairer Than Morning is an exceptional read. The writing is exquisite, the story and its characters captivating. I couldn’t put it down.

Do you have favorite authors?

There are so many wonderful writers how does one narrow it down to a short list? It would be easier to tell you my favorite books. However, some of my recent favorite authors are Susan Meissner, Francine Rivers, Ann Shorey, Hillary Manton Lodge. I’m also adding Rosslyn Elliott—I’ll be looking for book two in the Saddler’s Legacy. In addition I recently read Rooms, written by James Rubart. It’s not a genre I generally read, but the story drew me in. I’ll be watching for his next book.

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

I love both. They offer different delights. It’s always uplifting to hear from readers who offer insights and encouragement. And if I hear from someone who has been touched in a special way by something I’ve written that’s the best feeling.

If I must choose between the two, however, writing is the most enjoyable. It’s always a thrill to discover my characters and to experience the magic of story development. And when I write the end – there’s an amazing sense of satisfaction.

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? J

I work in my office on my laptop while sitting in a recliner, which is nice. However, if I could I’d write outdoors on my table on my deck with the wind blowing through the trees and accompanied by the music of wind chimes and bird song. I treat myself now and then, but most often I’m constrained to my office because of a bad back. I do keep my office window open, though, and on a breezy day it’s almost as good as being outdoors.

Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?

I’ve written eighteen books. How can I remember? My best guess is while I wrote my debut book, The Journey of Eleven Moons. It was my first experience with the magic of story creation. Hours would fly by and I’d be so involved in my story I wasn’t aware of the passage of time. It was pure bliss. I’m sure I had some 10,000 word days. Or possibly even more than that.

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.

Thank you for including me on your blog. It’s been a pleasure.

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Bonnie's latest novel, Wings of Promise.


Please leave an email address. If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win!

For extra entries:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber


Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on July 22nd.

70 comments:

  1. Love the cover of your book. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. Great interview! I love reading Bonnie's books, my favorite one is 'Return to the Misty Shore'. Thank you for the opportunity of winning this book.

    lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  3. I am a GFC follower.

    lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  4. I subscribe by email.

    lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  5. I have never read any of Bonnie's books but they sound really great. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

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  6. I like the cover thanks for a chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  7. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  8. email subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  9. Book sounds great...cool cover, too!
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  10. follow on twitter (lgm52)
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  11. email subscriber
    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  12. Love learning about new historical time eras. 1920s sounds great.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  13. I'm a follower via GFC.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  14. I follow via email.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  15. I am a follower.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. Loved your book Touching the Clouds, and this book went to Hawaii with a friend too as she wanted something good to read on the way. She loved it. Would love to win this book. You are quite a writer, and I am going to look up the others. Thank you. Juanita W. Whisper97304@yahoo.com

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  17. I love Bonnie's books! Ever since I started reading them as a teenager!! Her books are some of the most memorable! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  18. Your posts always include such informative interviews and interesting authors that are new to me. I am going to Alaska this summer so any book set there is of interest.

    Warmly,
    Terri
    http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com
    terri.forehand@gmail.com

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  19. I have never read any of her books they sound interesting and would love the chance to win this please enter me thanks saradawson09 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  20. I'm a subscriber
    saradawson09 ( at ) yahoo ( dot ) com

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  21. I'm a follower also
    saradawson09 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  22. I have never read any of Bonnie's books but would like to read this one.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  23. Sounds like a fantastic read, thanks for a great interview!

    kpuleski at gmail dot com

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  24. Casey, I'd loved to be signed up! Really enjoyed your interview with Bonnie, too. ;o)

    I'm an existing follower.

    Christy
    southernsassythings at gmail dot com

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  25. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This sounds like an amazing book. I would love to read this. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. would enjoy reading bonnie's latest novel...thanks for the chance, casey :)

    ~i'm an email subscriber and
    follower, too.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  27. Thanks for the great interview...and I love the book cover....makes the story sounds interesting! Please enter me
    Blessings
    Joy
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  28. Wow... 18 books! =D I'm an aspiring writer myself!

    Great interview! =D

    www.journeyofawoman.wordpress.com

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  29. I'm a subscriber and a follower gfc. Please enter me!

    dancealert at aol dot com

    Brenda from Michigan

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  30. I would LOVE to read this book! I really can hardly wait to read it!

    krhmoseslake(at)gmail(dot)com

    + I'm a follower
    + I'm a subscriber

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  31. Love Bonnie's books. Matanusca Series remains my favorite to date.
    Maribeth from NJ

    rnmfullerton@gmail.com

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  32. Jo thank you. I'll pass on your compliment to the art department at Revell Publishing. They do a fantastic job!

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  33. Megan, so glad you enjoyed "Return to the Misty Shore". That was my third book. I love the story too. It's been a long time since I read it. Maybe I ought to put it on my reading list for the year. : - )

    Grace and peace to you.

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  34. Thanks to so many of you who love the cover. I will absolutely tell the director in the art department. She's wonderful to work with and she'll love to hear that you like the book cover.

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  35. Linda, I'm so excited to write the new series. Hope my readers enjoy it.

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  36. Juanita, thank you! It's always so good to hear positive words about one of my books. It's so encouraging.

    I hope you enjoy my others.

    Blessings to you and thanks for the smile on my face. : - )

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  37. Martha, you can't know how uplifting your words are. Since a teen, eh? So glad you've enjoyed my books. It makes my day to hear.

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  38. Teri, have a wonderful time! I wish so badly I were going. I'm praying that I can make a trip north next summer during the State Fair.

    I have a lot of family who live in the state and I'd love to see. And I have a list of places I've just got to visit.

    Blessings.

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  39. Thanks to all of you for your encouraging and kind words. It is always fun to do interviews and to make new friends.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  40. Maribeth, the Matanuska Series is one of my favorites too.

    So happy to hear you liked it. The Haspers are still in my heart even though I wrote the books many years ago.

    God bless.

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  41. Viviene, many blessings to you as you travel the writing path. It is an adventure.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  42. I have never read one of Bonnie's books, but this one sounds like a good book and I love the cover. Please enter me in the drawing!

    Blessings,
    Lori
    triplel(at)evertek(dot)net

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  43. I have always been fascinated by the early women flyers in the U.S.
    Looking forward to reading about what it was for women then and of course being set in Alaska is great!

    +1 e-mail Subscriber
    +1 GFC Follower

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  44. I love Bonnie's books! I am excited to have the chance to win this one as well.
    Please enter me! Thanks so much!
    Deborah

    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. I just became a follower. Your blog design is amazing!

    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  46. If you win Lorlyn I hope you enjoy it. It was great fun to write.

    And Carol, the early pilots--men and women are fascinating. They too0k such risks and many died. What a passion they had for flying.

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  47. Deborah, so glad to hear from a fan. Love that!

    And yes, this is a beautiful site. I'm impressed.

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  48. Wings of Promise looks like a fun read, Bonnie! I'm intrigued! I've seen your books around in the internet, but haven't had a chance to get any of them yet.

    I'd love to be included in the giveaway. Thanks for the chance, Casey!

    Oh, and I'm a follower (+1)

    ~ Katy
    agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  49. Good interview, and looks like a great book. I'm entering for my wife, Cheryl.

    bald (at) pld (dot) com.

    Glad Bonnie endorsed Rosslyn's next book. She is a great writer, too.

    wb

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  50. And, I think we may be following, but I can't tell on this computer. The following gadget doesn't show. Anyone know how to fix that?

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  51. I'm a fan of Ms. Leon. Looks great. Great interview Casey!

    Please enter me
    I'm a follower
    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  52. I'm a follower and a subscriber.

    Please enter me!

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo .com

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  53. Bonnie is wonderful. Period. If she never wrote another word she'd still be wonderful. But God wants her to keep on writing! This everybody knows... :) patti iverson randpi2@charter.net

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  54. Hi Katy. I hope you get a chance to read some. Maybe you'll win a copy of this one. : - )

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  55. Warren, what a good husband you are.

    Grace and peace to you.

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  56. Hi Faye. So much fun to meet a fan. Do you have a favorite book?

    Blessings to you.

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  57. Ah, Patti. You're such a sweetheart. Thanks for being such a good friend.

    Hugs to you.

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  58. Im interested in this book for sure since i live in AK. Great interview. :) luvbooks25@aol.com

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  59. I am an email subscriber! Luvbooks25@aol.com

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  60. I am also a GFC follower. :) luvbooks25@aol.com

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  61. The cover of this book just draws you in, I would love to win it. ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com

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  62. I subscribe by email
    yvonne(at)oppcatv(dot)com

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  63. Public follower on Google Friend Connect ybutler(at)oppcatv(dot)com

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  64. Great interview!This sounds like a great book.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com .

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  65. I subscribe by email .augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com .

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  66. I am a follower..augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com .

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  67. I've read Touching the Clouds and Wings of Promise (so don't enter me in the contest). I loved both and am very excited to hear that book #3 is on the way. For those of you who haven't read any of Bonnie's books, you don't know what you're missing!

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  68. Thanks for all of your great comments. I can't wait to see who wins a free copy of Wings of Promise.

    And Linda, you just made my day!

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  69. sounds like a really interesting book for me

    trustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com

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  70. If you enjoyed Bonnie's first two books (Touching the Clouds and Wings of Promise), you will love the series conclusion in Joy Takes Flight!

    Be sure to enter her SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS Contest celebrating the release of the book! Tomorrow is the last day to enter - visit the link below for your chance to win one of 3 terrific prizes from the novel!

    Contest Link: www.BonnieLeon.com

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Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)