Friday, March 5, 2010

Loree Lough ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Loree Lough is telling us about her new book, Prevailing Love. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Loree! Tell us a little about yourself.
Married, 2 daughters, 7 grandkids, 1 neurotic dog (rescued from abuse). Former professional singer, presently a professional writer, and in between a couple hundred goofy jobs!

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
Started writing with an eye toward getting published in 1986, and was blessed with assignments that allowed me to see more than 2,500 articles published. My first novel came out in 1994, and since then, 73 more books have joined it on the shelves.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in you books?
Wow. That’s a tough one. Readers have compared me to Mary Jo Putney and Nicholas Sparks, but neither write strictly Christian fiction. As for rating of the romantic scenes in my books, reviewers have called it “gently sensual”, so I guess that would be, maybe, PG?

In your own words tell us a little about Prevailing Love.
PREVAILING LOVE is a 3-in-1 compilation. Three full-length romances for the price of one. How cool is that!

Sealed with a Kiss is the story of jet-setting Ethan Burke, suddenly thrust into the ‘father’ role when his best friends die and put him in charge of Molly, their 11-year old daughter who hasn’t spoken since her parents fiery car crash. Ethan prays that Hope Majors, the pretty Christian counselor who specializes in traumatized children, can reach the grieving girl. Will they all be blessed with much-needed healing? Or will past heartaches keep them all from finding true and lasting love?

In The Wedding Wish, Leah Jordan (terminal cancer patient) must find a home for two year old Fiona before she meets her Maker. Desperate to assure her little girl a warm and loving home, she brings her two best friends together and hopes they’ll revive the love they’d felt for one another in high school. Jade, the dedicated nurse, has recently broken up with a long-time beau, and Riley, self-appointed bachelor veterinarian, has sworn off marriage. With time running out, will there be a wedding and a loving home for little Fiona… and Riley and Jade?

Blurb:
Sealed with a Kiss is the story of jet-setting Ethan Burke, suddenly thrust into the ‘father’ role when his best friends die and put him in charge of Molly, their 11-year old daughter who hasn’t spoken since her parents fiery car crash. Ethan prays that Hope Majors, the pretty Christian counselor who specializes in traumatized children, can reach the grieving girl. Will they all be blessed with much-needed healing? Or will past heartaches keep them all from finding true and lasting love? (Picture CSI NY’s Melina Kanakaredes as Hope, and Bones’ star David Boreanaz as Riley.)

In The Wedding Wish, Leah Jordan (terminal cancer patient) must find a home for two year old Fiona before she meets her Maker. Desperate to assure her little girl a warm and loving home, she brings her two best friends together and hopes they’ll revive the love they’d felt for one another in high school. Jade, the dedicated nurse, has recently broken up with a long-time beau, and Riley, self-appointed bachelor veterinarian, has sworn off marriage. With time running out, will there be a wedding and a loving home for little Fiona… and Riley and Jade? (I envision Pushin’ Up Daisies star Susanna Lewis as “Leah”, Psych’’s Maggie Lawson as “Jade”, and Simon Baker of The Mentalist as “Riley”.)

Montana Sky is about two lonely people who have put duty and work ahead of romance. They’re drawn together by tragedy and danger, and when they find themselves involved in a volatile ‘wolf war’ in the wild Montana woods, more than just gunpowder is ignited. (Julia Roberts has the ‘look’ of Sky, the tough-yet-tender veterinarian, and Chet could be played by the slick-and-savvy Raising the Bar’s Mark-Paul Gosselaar.)

What made you want to write this story?
I guess I’d have to say… the same thing that inspires me to write every story: The Lord put the themes into my heart, and I had no choice but to write them down!

What research did you have to do for this book?
I needed to learn about the characters’ professions, the settings, and the psychological stuff that made each story ring true. All three earned “Readers’ Choice” awards as well as 4- and 5-star reviews from industry pros.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
Right now, I’m working on the 2nd book in my Lone Star Legends series, tentatively titled Lonely No More. This historical, like its predecessor, is set in Eagle Pass, Texas, 1888-9. Lots of old-west adventure and action, including outlaws and gunfights, horses and the lonesome prairie. I’m also working on Book One for my First Responders series, From Ashes to Honor. That one features characters who are still coping with the horrors of having worked at Ground Zero on 9/11.

How can readers get in contact with you?
I’m on Facebook, Shoutlife, Twitter, and MySpace, and all the screen names are available at my web site, http://www.loreelough.com/. They can also visit me at my blog, designed for readers and writers, http://www.theloughdown.blogspot.com/.

What are you currently reading?
I just finished The Missionary by Dave Lambert and William Carmichael. Wow. Talk about intrigue!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
Well, I love to sketch and draw, and one of my line drawings (a sketch of her house) is hanging in the home of actress Lea Thompson.

What is your favorite birthday memory?
I guess I’d have to say the Dressel cakes my mother used to buy… two moist chocolate layers with a 2” whipped cream filling, topped by fudgy icing. I believe the company went out of business. A good thing, too, or I’d probably need Omar the Tent Maker to sew all my clothes!

FAVORITES:
Cake flavor/kind?
Chocolate cake w/marshmallow icing and chocolate sprinkles.

Most treasured birthday gift?
When we were married 7 years, my husband surprised me with a diamond engagement ring, and he paid for it with his annual bonus. It’s the one I still wear, 32 years later!

Disney Princess?
Ariel the Little Mermaid. I never learned to swim, so I envy anybody who can!

What is/was this book’s release date?
PREVAILING LOVE hit bookstore shelves in Janurary, 2010.

~~~~~
**Anyone can enter this giveaway**
 
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of !


To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.

*The contest will run from today (March 5) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (March 11). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 12th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

29 comments:

Carmen said...

Definitely want to be entered into the giveaway. All three books sound like real life situations that need resolving. Please enter me. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm a follower by Google Reader.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Loree & Carman! "Prevailing Love" sounds beautifully life-affirming!

Please enter my name in the drawing. I am a follower and subscriber.

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Loree Lough said...

Wow!

You guys sure are the early birds, aren't ya! hehehe. Good to hear from you, and I'm looking forward to more comments.

If you have questions about any of the stories included in PREVAILING LOVE, fire away! Meanwhile, here's hopin' y'all have a happy, restful weekend.

Hugs and blessings,
Loree

Becki said...

Found a new blog I am going to follow and add to my blog friends list!
Add me to your drawing please.

Becki Reiser
jareiser1@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Please Please include me...wow I sure want to read these stories.
Maureen
alekee02@yahoo.com

Loree Lough said...

Can you guys believe Carman isn't quite 18 years old yet! I can't even IMAGINE myself putting something like this together at that age, can you? Who thinks this girl will go far in life...real, REAL far!?

My hat's off to you, Carman. Yer a peach. An amazing peach! (Grin!)

Big hugs,
Loree

apple blossom said...

I'd love to be included in this book giveaway. Thanks.

I'm also a follower.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

Loree -
I would love to be included in the give-away. I've been following you on Facebook. I enjoyed reading the blog written by your dog about you. I learned something new about Pennsylvania when I read about the wolf sanctuary. I'm probably about your age (been married 39 years and have grown sons, so I feel I have a connection to you in that way too. Of all the books your wrote, what was your favorite? Luv your books and you too Loree.

Susan Rose
141 Zeigler Mill Rd.
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Casey said...

Please enter me! :) I am a follower.

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Merry said...

Prevailing Love sounds like a wonderful, heart tugging experience. Please add me to the drawing. Thanks, Carmen!

I'm a follower.

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Halle said...

Hi Carman!
Yay for give-aways! I'd looove to be entered.
Um, I'm following you by email, does that count??

hellokitty6010 at yahoo dot com.

HandyFamily said...

I would enjoy being enter into your giveaway. I have only read one book by Loree, but would enjoy reading some more. Vacation is right around the corner, and a good book is always needed.

I am a follower :-)

wowendi{at}gmail{dot}come

Loree Lough said...

Hey, everybody!

So glad you're all enjoying the visit here @ Carman's blog. I know I'm happy to have discovered this cool place!

Susan, yes, it does sound like we have a lot in common! I hope to "see" you at Facebook real soon!

If y'all haven't discovered Shoutlife yet, you might want to look into it. It's a great social networking site where most of the members are Christians! Musicians, authors, comedians, business people, and just regular folks, and they're all so very friendly that I'm sure you'll just LOVE the place! My screen name there is LoreeALough, so if you join (it's free!) be sure to look me up!

Blessings on your Sunday, dear ladies!

Talk to you very soon!
Loree

Anonymous said...

would love to read this fabulous book...just wondering what you are currently reading today loree...

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)Com

Diane Kris said...

I love your books Loree. I think I am a follower, I am a fan of yours on Facebook and your blog. Love Inspired is so wonderful.
Diane
bowen.di@gmail.com

Carolynn said...

Please enter me, these stories all sound fantastic, thanks!
carolynnwald at hotmail dot com

Loree Lough said...

Hey there!

Hope you all enjoyed a marvelous Monday and that Tuesday will be jut as terrific!

To Karen, who asked what book I'm reading now, it's called "The Things That Keep Us Here" by Carla Buckley. She's been a friend for years, and has tried to sell a book for ages. This is her debut novel and I'm just so happy for her, because even before it was on bookstore shelves, it earned fantastic reviews from industry pros. (Now that I'm reading it myself, I can see why!)

And Diane, I agree...Love Inspired is just super. I have 2 things under consideration there right now, so pray that when my editor takes the projects to committee, they'll say YES!

It won't be long not until Carmen chooses a winner for Prevailing Love. But even when this is over, I hope you'll all stay in touch via Facebook, Twitter, and/or Shoutlife, and @ my blog and web site. (There are LOTS of contests at all of those places where you can win cool prizes...and not just my books, either! LOL)

Blessings to all of you!
Loree

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
Wonderful interview and books. I haven't read any of your books yet, but can't wait to start.
Enter me please.
Blessings,
Trinity Rose

wandaelaine AT gmail DOT com

Trinity Rose said...

Hi
Sorry forgot to say I'm also a follower.
Trinity Rose

wandaelaine AT gmail DOT com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

runner10 said...

Enter me. Just became a follower.
csdsksds{at}gmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

I am so anxious to read this book....please enter me. Thanks!!!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Forgot to say.....I am a follower!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Nancye said...

Please enter me

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I am a follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Edna said...

oh Carmen, I would love to win Loree's new book, please enter me

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

Carmen I am a follower of you and Loree

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I have both of your button on my blog http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/




mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net