Special Giveaway Announcement from Debut Author Pam Hillman!!!

**Sooo excited to have DEBUT novelist Pam Hillman guest posting today on my blog with a special announcement, so read on to find out what it is. It won't disappoint!! ;-)

Casey, thanks so much for inviting me to your blog to talk about my debut novel, Stealing Jake.

 When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Interwoven throughout is a group of street kids arrested in Chicago and sold as child labor. Leading this band of ragamuffins is young Luke, a scared, determined orphan intent on rescuing his little brother at any cost.

Jake and Livy’s story started out as a novella proposal for Tyndale House Publishers several years ago, but didn’t make the cut. I liked the premise so much that I revised it, working with the story until I had a full-length novel.

The manuscript garnered several awards, and the attention of a few editors, but I always felt like something was lacking. I couldn’t get it out of my mind that Luke’s story needed to be told as well. And finally, one night sitting on the steps at the hotel at the ACFW conference in 2008, romantic suspense author Robin Caroll helped me brainstorm ways to weave Luke into the story.

I loved the results, and the revised version went on to final in the 2011 RWA Golden Heart contest before being contracted by Tyndale House as one of the launch books for their Digital First Initiative program.



To celebrate the release of Stealing Jake, I’m giving away a Kindle on October 8^th. Last day to enter the contest is September 30^th.

Thanks, Casey! I appreciate all you do to spread the word about Christian fiction. And your site is just too pretty for words.

Award-winning author Pam Hillman writes inspirational fiction set in the turbulent times of the American West and the Gilded Age. Her debut book, Stealing Jake, won the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis contest and was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest. She lives in Mississippi with her husband and family. www.pamhillman.com



**You can read the first chapter of Stealing Jake here: http://pamhillman.blogspot.com/2007/11/stealing-jake-prologue.html

I Promised, Here They Are! Meeting a Fellow Blogger and Friend!

Ever had one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities? The kind you KNOW you can't turn down??

I got one earlier this month (late June to be exact).

When I found out Amber of Seasons of Humilty didn't live too far away from me during the school year I knew I just had to meet her and we talked about it several times, but each chance fell through.

UNTIL just a few weeks ago while her family was on vacation in Sunriver (Oregon) I drove down and got to MEET her.

Let me just put it this way: this better not be a once-in-a-lifetime only meeting, because Amber is one of the sweetest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. We had a crazy fun weekend and it ended all too fast! Here are a few pictures of our adventures...

Yes, we did more than read. We got on the same side of the computer screen to eye book covers. ;-)

We visited for over two hours at a local park and tried to take self-portrait pictures. Why does the one holding the camera always get the double chins???

We rode the rental home's bikes along several paths and stopped at this bridge for some scenery, more talking and more pictures. I think that pretty much sums up the entire weekend actually. :-))

One of the places we visited was the Lava Cast Forest not too far out of town. When hot lava flowed through the valley it hollowed out the trees, but left the outer trunk empty and hardened. Quite interesting to see!

Here Amber stands in the mouth of a cast.

With Amber's mom and grandparents.

But probably the best part of the weekend (beside meeting Amber) was spending time getting to know her wonderful family. We laughed and visited...and took lots of pictures!! :-))

One with her lovely mom. I can see where Amber gets her kindness and sweet spirit!

Amber, I had a GREAT weekend and it was fantastic to meet you! Let's plan to do it again soon and thank you and your family once again for being so warm and gracious!!

Fun, Funny, Enjoyable! Her Best Catch by Lindi Peterson ~ Review

“Her Best Catch” is a funny, fun romantic getaway with a few laughs, several sigh-worthy moments and an overall story that brought me pleasure to read.

Well first off, I love first person accounts and the heroine’s slightly snarky voice on the page had me thinking that more than the once the author must have crawled into my head to get her motivation. She has a sense of humor that had me chuckling out loud more than once!

The only thing with first person, especially in romance, is you don’t get to dig into the other characters and I would have enjoyed doing that for the hero.

I loved how the heroine is generally living her everyday life, but life gets in the way and makes her days rife with struggles. It proves you don’t need explosive plots to keep the reader interested.

I don’t think the romance is sappy, there was a good lesson to be learned and a great faith message that will have take-away value for the reader.

It’s a sweet, funny, enjoyable story (and I should probably mention the yummy kisses…) and I loved the ending. A sweet, sweet moment! I can honestly say I enjoyed it.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author and publisher for my copy to review.

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.

Music to Encourage and Inspire on Your Sunday

This video ties in my with my post on Wednesday (the one just a couple posts below). In Christ there are NO goodbyes! We can cling to that promise.

Mercy Me
Homesick

Need a Laugh?? Two of My Favorite Chonda Pierce Moments

I love Chonda Pierce and here are two of her videos (they are short) that I absolutely love and I always laugh so hard!! Enjoy. : - )

Friday's Note:

The winner of Throw the Devil Off the Train by Stephen Bly is...

Michelle Sutton!

She has been contacted and thank you to everyone who stopped by to enter. Your support and enthusiasm gives me the opportunity to bring quality fiction to giveaway!

Tag You're It!

Oh what fun! I've been looking forward to this post ever since Dawn and Cathy. tagged me. It's a fun blog post to do and share (and for those I've tagged, don't feel obligated, it's just something fun!! :-)


Do you think you're hot?


Um...well at the moment I'm quite fine, thank you. There is a lovely little breeze outside keeping the bugs down and the sun is shining and after a loooong winter and wet, wet, wet spring, I'd take a hot day at no complaint. ;-)


Upload a photo of the wallpaper you are using right now.

I love this image. Photos of God's nature can be some of the most inspiring and I love beautiful images, primarily of flowers or landscape, on my wallpaper. :-)


When was the last time you ate chicken?


Just last week. That white meat is one of my FAVORITES! Okay, all meat is pretty much a favorite in my book (my someday-husband is going to have a run for his money when it comes to who can eat more meat) and I "fight" my dad over who gets the thigh. ;-)


What songs or song have you listened to recently?


This one is a little bit harder, because I spend the majority of my listening time on KLOVE and there really isn't one particular song I like to hear over and over. But I do love this new one from Third Day. So, so, so good!! 




Do you have any nicknames? If so what are they?

Yes, I do have several nicknames. My parents, when I was little, called me "Bug", but that name as generally morphed into "Shrimp" --or rather my mom calls me that-- at 5' 1 1/8" (I take it everywhere I can get it), I still fit under her chin (barely!) and when I can't reach something I generally hear the remark. All in love, I'm sure. Right. Mama??

Tag 5 bloggers

Amber Stokes: I got to meet Amber recently!! We'll be sharing more pictures at a later date, but sufice it is to say that this young woman is EVERY bit as wonderful and lovely in person as she is online.

Renee Chaw: I love Renee's blog. She's  blast to know online and I can always count on her to have something uplifting to say. I've greatly enjoyed getting to know Renee!

Joy T. David: Oh my goodness, but I do love Joy!! Her blog has to be ranked in my Top 10 favorite blogs and she makes visiting a pure JOY every single time! I always end up laughing over something. And let me tell you, this woman can write too! We'll be reading her books someday. ;-)

Michelle Tuller: Michelle has a sweet blog that I always enjoy visiting. Spotlight Christian music and books, plus she has been a huge encouragement to me as I blog. Her comments always bring me cheer. :-)

Rel Mollet: I just found Rel's blog, but I have known about it for some time and just thoroughly enjoy myself whenever I visit. She has that creative blend of book reviews, character interviews and awesome cover info! I don't follow many blogs, but I do follow hers.

So now it's their turn! If I've tagged you, have no fear, you don't have to participate, it's just something fun. ;-) And for fun, maybe you could take one of the questions for yourself in the comments!