Giveaway and Author Interview: Love Turns the Tide

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Gail Pallotta, it is great to have you here!

Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know? First, I’d like to thank you for having me. Something about me, hmmm.  I taught Sunday school for ten years and worked in my county’s after school program for six. As for writing, I worked as an editor of publications and a copywriter. After I married I helped my husband with his business and published freelance articles. But I’d always wanted to write a book. I recently published my first romance, Love Turns the Tide. I was thrilled this past November, when an excerpt from the book  won the Clash of the Titles contest in the nature / weather category.   

What surprised you the most about being a published author?

When I published Love Turns the Tide, I saw my computer as a fancy typewriter. I never dreamed that people used it to create PDF files, copy and paste, scan photos, save pictures, create a Web site and put images on it, let alone make videos about their books. In learning how to do these things, I’m amazed that neither I nor the computer has self destructed. I have to admit, I wouldn’t have attempted the video without my daughter’s help. Before this book was published, I would have said all of the above had nothing to do with writing, but now I know they do. I’m still learning new things everyday about the internet and still muddling through. Not only are the things we do online amazing, but it’s wonderful to meet new friends we’d never talk to otherwise.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

As far as reading goes, I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember and will read anything I can get my hands on. I’m writing in the Christian romance genre.  

When you aren’t writing or interacting with fans, what do you enjoy doing?

I swim, and I enjoy getting together with friends and family. My daughter and I love to bargain shop. We usually don’t buy many items. But we can spend an afternoon trying on clothes and laughing at the ones that are completely wrong for us. At the end of the day we’re so happy we’ve found a few perfect selections.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

No one else could write your story the way you write it.  

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

Hearing that someone liked my book.

What do you like readers to take away from your books?

First I’d like for them to enjoy it. When someone says he or she found something helpful or meaningful, that makes me happy too.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My Web site is http://www.gailpallotta.com/.

My blog is http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com/ and my publishers’ web site is www.awe-struck.net

My book is in Awe-struck’s inspirational category. E-certificates are available from Sweet Spirit Bookstores in East and West Cobb County, Georgia, and Eagles’ Wings Books & Gifts in Destin, Florida.

Thank you for being with us today!

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an ebook copy of Gail's book.

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

And a NEW one:
~Follow Gail's blog here (click on the follow option on the blue bar at the top of the screen)

Contest is open everywhere due to this being an ebook. 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 February 25th.

Friday's Post = Fellowship

Hey There!

I love to fellowship. I love to chat. I love people! Thanks for swinging by today, leave a comment, just take a peek, it's my day to share the 'fun' of life with you!! I hope you'll share in return.

1/3 Of The Way There

I hit 30,000 words this week! Not that many words written in a week, mind you! Just my total. :-) This story hasn't flown with the great word count as my last wip, which I think it is probably a good thing in this case. My writing is pretty choppy in my last WIP, which is going through the grinder as we speak. Ah the joy of rewrites. *grin*

Speaking of Rewrites...

Like I did last month, I would love to give a bit of time away to one of my readers, if you are interested for a critique. Of course, standard excuses apply, I'm not in any way "special" and you don't have to take anything I say, but it's a good learning experience, wouldn't you say?

It's or Its???

I tell you, I struggle with that one more than ANYTHING else! My computer is constantly yelling at me that I am spelling those wrong and putting them in the wrong context. Sheesh! What are your hot buttons you can't stop making mistakes on?

The Latest Edition to My "Dowry"

As in what is being stashed away in my hope chest. Have you heard of Longaberger? They make pottery and hand woven baskets, all created within the U.S of A. NOTHING is outsourced. I have a set of pottery I was getting for my future home when my aunt informed me they were going away for good! So I snagged a few pieces. The picture doesn't do it justice and I absolutely love them.

Newsletter Anyone?

Have you signed up for Julie Lessman's newsletter yet? You better, because I hear tell that maybe her next cover will be revealed within its depths and I KNOW there will be a sneak peek of her coming book. How many of you are as excited as I am?? Silly question I know. *grin*

One Year Old!!!

OEA on the 14th of February turns ONE YEAR OLD!! One year ago this month I set up a blog, got a few authors to guest and since that fateful first post with Julie Lessman a year ago, OEA has featured 49 authors as of this last week. What amazes me, is I don't even have to go looking for authors anymore, but they are finding me. I guess I'm in this for the long haul. Not that I wouldn't want to be. :-)

Winner!!

And the winner of Tracy Krauss's My Mother the Man-Eater is...

Jo!!

Jo, you have been emailed and have a week to get back with me. :-)

In My Mailbox 2/9/11

I have never read anything by Jenny B. Jones before, but I have heard only good things, so I'm holding high hopes for this novel! Can't wait to get the chance to dive in. :-)

Don't Forget!

Don't forget the Valentine's day blog party going on hosted by Amber at Seasons of Humility. My giveaway went up yesterday with an interview and giveaway with Kristin Billerbeck.

And on Monday we will all be posting with a giveaway and fun post, so plan to share your love story to be entered to win a book about... love! That will be Monday and I will also have a giveaway with Gail Pallota for her ebook, Love Turns the Tide. Busy, busy day in store, but fun!

Have a Stupendous Friday Everyone!!

Celebrate 'Seasons of Love' with Kristin Billerbeck (and giveaway!!)

            Kristin, it is pure pleasure to have you visit my blog today! Would you care to share a bit of your love story?

            My love of story started with a pretty lonely childhood.  My brother had two open heart surgeries when I was a child, so I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s entertaining myself.  I’m still doing that.  When my children were younger, I used to make up rambling bedtime stories and I just find it the artform that teaches me.  I can watch and learn from characters in ways I can’t perhaps see my own faults.  I use the fiction now to ask questions about the way people work.

            A Billion Reasons Why is a charming romantic (almost a comedy) novel, where did the idea for this book come from?

            Actually, my publisher wanted to do a billionaire novel and because my characters have been well-off before, it seemed a natural fit.  Money and people with it, are boring to me, so I had to insert the 40’s romance and  another era to make it interesting to me.

            Have you always been attracted to the romance genre?

            I’m attracted to societies in romance. If a story is just about the hero and heroine, it doesn’t interest me nearly as much as their whole world.  Romance always involves more than simply two people and I like seeing how a couple interacts with their world around them.  What’s ultimately attractive about romance is that everyone longs to be accepted and loved for exactly who they are.

            How fun is it to write light hearted romance/ chick lit for the inspirational market?

            It’s the best job in the world, I’m not going to lie.  I feel like I get to explore a new vocation and get inside new heads every day.  And I get to be funny.  You can’t beat it!

            Thanks so much for being here today, where can readers connect with you online?

            They can get me at my webpage:  www.KristinBillerbeck.com

            Or find me daily on my blog at www.girlygirl.typepad.com

            Thanks for the great interview!  Kristin

Readers, would you like the chance to win Kristin's latest novel? Leave a comment for her and the chance for A Billion Reasons Why.

Don't forget to check out the other blogs the featured giveaways for the Seasons of Love giveaway hop:

Seasons of Humility

Doorkeeper

Ends on Monday with the winner announced then. :)

Book Review and CFBA Tour: Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingAnother DawnBethany House (February 1, 2011)byKathryn CushmanABOUT THE AUTHOR:
 

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist, she left her career to marry and begin a family and has since pursued her dream of writing.
Other books by Kathryn, A Promise to Remember was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year in the Women’s Fiction category, and Waiting for Daybreak was a finalist in Women’s Fiction for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award.

Leaving Yesterday, her third novel, was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.

Now her fourth book, Another Dawn, has arrived in stores, and I’m very excited about it!

On the homefront, Kathryn has been married to Lee for over twenty years now, and their two daughters are currently braving the worlds of junior high and high school. They’ve lived in Santa Barbara for the last nineteen years. It’s a beautiful place and Kathryn feels blessed to be there (although a seventy degree Christmas still leaves her dreaming of a white one—or at least a colder one!)


ABOUT THE BOOK

Grace Graham is back in Tennessee with her four-year-old son on a short unpaid leave from work, helping her father recover from surgery and spending time with her sister.


Shoal Creek seems more backward than ever after her years in California, and it's hard to find organic food anywhere. When the unthinkable happens and her son is diagnosed with measles, Grace's fears over modern medicine take a dangerous turn.

Worse, the town has fallen into quarantine and its residents focus their anger and blame on Grace. She is alone and scared, until one brave woman chooses to reach out a hand of forgiveness and mercy. But when the outbreak takes a life-threatening turn, will Grace be able to forgive herself?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Another Dawn, go HERE.

My Review:

I know it’s a good book when I read it in one afternoon. I started “Another Dawn” mid-afternoon and finished it that night.

I thought this book had an interesting premise. A mother, who refused the vaccinations for his son, is faced with what her choice could possibly have done to her hometown. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading. I stand on the opposite side of the vaccine debate- the side of Grace. Would the novel preach an agenda? And just how would this tie into a plot line?

Instead of making this agenda driven fiction, it became a type of “character” to the novel. The vaccine debate became external conflict, emotional angst and played against everything Grace has been her entire life long. To watch this character grow and change was nothing short of great writing. Her actions, the actions of those around her, I can promise I will read this book again… and again.

What I loved so much about it, is it goes beyond the superficial to dig deep into the heart of the issues. The relationships are especially profound.

This book offers more than just a well placed subject on a tired debate, it is a story filled with fulfilling characters, a succinct plot, great dialogue, and a satisfying ending. I think you’ll sigh with pleasure when you close this book- I did.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review through CFBA

Giveaway and Author Interview: Save the Date

     Welcome to Writing for Christ, Jenny B. Jones, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

      No, but I really need to make something good up to have on hand when I get this question. Let me see...I'm crazy addicted to movie previews. It's a little bit OCD. If I don't get to the movie in time to see them (from a very good seat), I don't want to stay.

      What surprised you the most about being a published author?

      How much I have to sit. I've always known two things: I want to be a writer. I do not want a desk job. I'm not sure how I thought those two things weren't one and the same. It's also been surprising

      Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

      My favorite genre to read is actually historical romance, but I read almost everything. I love YA, love contemporary romance, love nonfiction.  My favorite genres to write are YA and women's romance. I like them because, for me, they do not include vampires, werewolves, or zombies. Yet.

      When you aren’t writing or interacting with fans, what do you enjoy doing? 

       I love going to plays, love to travel. This summer I went to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia for vacation and research. I definitely loved my writing job then. I teach part-time in Arkansas and enjoy wiling away the hours writing detention slips and shooting the stink eye while leaving no child behind. I am constantly painting the interior of my house. Then repainting it. It's kind of a sickness. Love spending time with my family and just hanging out without deadlines and papers to grade.

      Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

      A few things.  On the philosophical side, Agent Chip MacGregor has been quoted more than once as saying, "Getting published will not validate you."  It's so true. If you're looking for writing to complete you on any level, even if it's just to look cooler at your high school reunion, forget it. It's a hard business, and it's not going to make you bigger, faster, stronger. If you're not happy with your life now or who you are now, having a book with your name on it will not fix that for you.

      On the practical side,  super author Colleen Coble once mentioned that listening to Michael Hague's The Hero's Two Journey's was the most important thing she'd learned about writing. It really is good. If you're a writer, make the investment for the CD.

      What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

      I love a lot of things about it. I really enjoy reader feedback about the books--hearing how a book impacted a reader, that it made them laugh, think, cry, challenged their expectations of Christian fiction, or just let them get away from life for a while.  I also love that through social media, a must for any writer, I've made so many friends. Readers are some awesome folk, and I so appreciate them.

      What do you like readers to take away from your books?

      Receipts from the store where they purchased their copy and the 10 they bought all their friends? Just kidding. 

By the time a reader shuts the book, I want her to feel lighter, entertained, and encouraged. I want the read to have been a good time investment that lifted her up and made her smile and forget about the stresses of life for a while.  To maybe have caught a whisper from God and feel like he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. And maybe a reason to smile and giggle.

      Places for readers to learn more about you:

      I blog at www.jennybjones.com as well as www.southernbelleview.blogspot.com, a new blog about the life of a Southern girl. I share that blog home with authors Lisa Wingate, Rachel Hauck, Beth Webb Hart, and Marybeth Whalen.

      I’m on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jenny.b.jones

      And I pretty much live on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jenbjones

      Thank you for being with us today!

      Thank you so much for letting me stop by.

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Jenny's latest book, Save the Date.

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

And an EXTRA one:
~Read and then rate this review (you will never leave my blog). Please return here to leave a comment telling me you have done so. Thanks!

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 February 18th.

*** CONTEST NOW CLOSED***

Friday Is Here!!

The Next "Cold Call Author"...

Mary Connealy!! I'll email her this morning as warning and in the meantime you have until Sunday, the 6th to submit your questions. This interview will be posted on the last Friday of February (the 25th). Remember to keep your questions fairly short as this is a "cold call" interview. Anything goes (within bounds :-), ya'll!

What's Better Than A Gift Certificate??

Renee Ann is giving away a $20 gift certificate on her blog for my jewelry! You can enter up until Sunday (the 6th), so hurry over! There is also info on how to win a bracelet (I'm giving away) and how to get a free pair of earrings. It's all legit, I promise, so hurry over before it's too late! :-)



Fun Book Review News!!!

Okay, so maybe it doesn't matter to many of you, but I just had to share this...

My review for Digitalis by Ronie Kendig was named the best review of the month for CFBA blog tours!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my name and blog up there!

Okay, self promotion over. :-)


Progressive Blog Party

Amber over at Seasons of Humility is hosting the first progressive blog party for Valentine's day! Starting this coming week on the 7th, visit each of the blogs listed in order of which days they will post their giveaway. Then on the 14th, we will all post together. I'll be hosting Kristen Billerbeck, so don't miss out!

Starting on the 7th and running to the 14th:
Amber- Seasons of Humility
Renee Ann - Doorkeeper
Me!
Hannah - Project Journal
Joy - Edgy Inspirational Romance
Julia - Dark Glass Ponderings
Renee - Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot
Back at Seasons of Humilty for a Mr. Linky listing all the blogs.


Great Read!

The last book I have read that has just been so outstanding I read it in one evening is Kathryn Cushman's latest release, Another Dawn. My review will be up in a few days, but until then I wanted to bring this latest Women's fiction novel to your attention. It makes you think and delivers a great story with great characters at the same time.

Thank you!!

I was completely shocked the other day to come home and power up Blogger to find 300 followers in my count! Wow, I don't even really know what to say except I am so privileged to know you on this journey. As a way to say "thank you" I would like to gift one of you, that leave a comment today, an ebook copy of Michelle Sutton's Letting Go. (please note I have not read this book yet, so I can't vouch for it)
Since this is a thank you gift, please be a follower to enter. And...

Thank you!!


And The Winner Is...

The winner of JoAnn Durgin's Awakening is...

Wendy!!

Congrats Wendy, you will be emailed very soon. :-)

Victoria's Secret = Britches?!?!?

It's less than a minute and I promise you will have never laughed so hard after watching this! (and it's clean too!)

by Chonda Pierce

Happy Friday, Everyone!!

Don't forget your Cold Call questions for Mary!

Cover DECADENCE

Oh. My. Goodness. Does this not just make you want to drool?? Bethany House has knocked. It. Out. Of. The. Park on this one!

Can't wait Tamera!!

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander will become available later this fall.

Sigh.  NOT SOON ENOUGH! ;-)