Monday, May 24, 2010

Allison Pittman ~ Interview + Giveaway!

**I have recently changed the rules for entering my giveaways and there are new ways to earn extra entries, so be sure to read that section at the bottom of this post. =)**

Today author Allison Pittman is telling us about her new book, The Bridegrooms. 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, Allison! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a writer, and a mom to 3 great boys, and a wife to the best guy in the world. Obsessions include Gilmore Girls, facebook, Dateline and DinsneyWorld.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing full time for about 5 years. The Bridegrooms is my 5th novel, and I have another great little book called Saturdays with Stella.

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?
My writing style? Hmm… that might be a better question to ask readers! But, I’ll go optimistic and say that I compare to Lynn Austin (only because she’s my favorite!) As for romance rating…I love the tension that comes with unresolved consuming passion, so a lot of my romance happens in the characters’ heads, rather than with their bodies. I will say, though, that the Bridegrooms runs a little more PG than my other books…several passionate kisses and some compromising situations.

In your own words tell us a little about The Bridegrooms.
The Bridegrooms tells the story of the 4 Allenhouse sisters, led by the eldest, Vada, and their quests for romance and marriage. I like to think of it as what would happen if Jane Austen had a shot at writing a modern-day sit-com set in 1895. It’s a much more whimsical, light, fun story than my earlier works.

Blurb:
Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

What made you want to write this story?
It was such a small thing…when I was researching for Stealing Home, I came across this team called The Bridegrooms. (they eventually became the Dodgers) And I just thought “cool.” Then, I had an idea of a “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” type of story, but couldn’t quite fall in love with that. I wanted a story about a strong woman, and one that takes into account the healthy romantic passion a woman feels when she is in love, as well as how even good women can be derailed.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I had to be sure to set the story in a time when these two teams (the Bridegrooms and the Cleveland Spiders) actually played a series of games. I also touch on the Suffragette movement. Most fun, though, was studying turn-of-the century Cleveland. They had the first indoor shopping mall. What could be more girly than that!

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m working on the final book in my “baseball” books…moving into 1925—the romance between a flapper and a WWI vet. Also, in October, I have a book releasing called For Time and Eternity which deals with the issue of polygamy in the early Mormon church.

How can readers get in contact with you?
They can email me through my website (www.allisonpittman.com) – plus, I connect with a lot of readers on facebook.

What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin—loving it! I’m also reading Alice, which tells the fictional story of the girl (now, woman) who inspired Lewis Carrol’s story. ‘meh? Not so great…I’m giving it 20 more pages.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m so boring! I’ve never touched a fish.

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
Not a fish! I’d want to be my dog, Stella. Her life is pretty good.

FAVORITES:

Color?
green

Childhood memory?
Riding my bike everywhere! Just hop on Saturday morning and ride all over post (we lived on an army post)…especially to the school playground to play hopscotch for, like, 4 hours.

Era to write about?
Loving the 1920’s!

What is/was this book’s release date?
April 13, 2010

~~~~~
**USA residents only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Bridegrooms!


TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Read and leave a comment on one of my recent book reviews.

**You can earn a total of 4 entries if you do all of the above requirements. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (May 24) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 27). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 28th, 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.

In Harm's Way winner!

Winner:
In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon--
Charity (esterried@...)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

Hymns

Dentist's Hymn................Crown Him With Many Crowns

Weatherman's Hymn........There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

Contractor's Hymn............The Church's One Foundation

The Tailor's Hymn.............Holy, Holy,Holy

The Golfers Hymn............There's a Green Hill Far Away

The Politician's Hymn........Standing On The Promises

Optometrist's Hymn..........Open My Eyes That I May See

The IRS Agent's Hymn......I Surrender All

The Gossip's Hymn...........Pass It On

The Electrician's Hymn.....Send The Light

The Shopper's Hymn........Sweet Bye and Bye

The Realtor's Hymn..........I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hill

Massage Therapist's Hymn..He Touched Me

The Doctor's Hymn...........The Great Physician


And for those on the highway - a few hymns:

45mph.........................God Will Take Care of You

65mph.........................Nearer My God Tote

85mph.........................This World Is Not My Home

95mph.........................Lord, I'm Coming Home

100mph.......................Precious Memories

Monday, May 17, 2010

Irene Hannon ~ Interview + Giveaway!

**I have recently changed the rules for entering my giveaways and there are new ways to earn extra entries, so be sure to read that section at the bottom of this post. =)**

Today author Irene Hannon is telling us about her new book, In Harm's Way. 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, Irene! Tell us a little about yourself.
Hmm…where to begin? I could tell you some of the fun stuff I’ve done—like attending the monkey dance in the moonlit jungle on Bali, or gliding over the Alaskan glaciers in a float plane at sunset, or winging down to the Caribbean for lunch on a cruise ship with the CEO and chairman of the board of a Fortune 500 company—but I’ll stick to the basics! I have a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in journalism. I worked for the aforementioned Fortune 500 company for 20+ years in corporate communications, writing fiction on the side. After rising to the executive ranks…and finding myself on call 24/7…I left the corporate world a few years ago to write full time—and never looked back. I’m also married to my very own romantic hero! Want to know more? Check out my website at http://www.irenehannon.com/.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
My first book was published in 1985, and book #33—In Harm’s Way—came out in April.

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?
I would compare the style of my romantic suspense books to Dee Henderson. The romance in my books is definitely G.

In your own words tell us a little about In Harm’s Way.
This is the third and final book in my bestselling Heroes of Quantico series. After writing Against All Odds, which featured a two-continent setting and a terrorist element, and An Eye For An Eye, which focused on a determined killer who shatters the hero and heroine’s unexpected reunion, I wanted to delve into something completely different with the final book in the series. So I have the heroine finding a tattered Raggedy Ann doll that gives her a strange feeling—strange enough to send her to the authorities, despite her fear they’ll ridicule her story. I wanted to intrigue readers with a story that appears to have paranormal elements—appears being the operative word. To say any more would ruin the story!

This series marked my suspense debut and has been incredibly well received. Although the heroes and heroines of previous books do make appearances in subsequent books, each book in any series I write stands alone as a complete story in itself. There are no hanging plot threads from book to book. So you don’t have to read them all, or in order. (Though reading them in order is more fun, because the stories occur chronologically and you can catch up with what’s happening in the lives of the previous heroes and heroines!)

And I’m thrilled to report that this book, along with the first two books in the series (Against All Odds and An Eye For An Eye), has made both the CBA and ECPA fiction bestseller lists!

Blurb:
FBI special agent Nick Bradley, has seen his share of kooks during his fifteen years with the Bureau, from the guy who insisted he’d been abducted by aliens to the woman who claimed God had told her to assist the FBI by acting as His intermediary on difficult cases. But Rachel Sutton is an enigma. She seems normal when she shows up at the FBI office in St. Louis—until she produces a tattered Raggedy Ann doll she found and tells him it gives her bad vibes. Nick dismisses her—only to stumble across a link between the doll and an abducted infant, setting in motion a chain of events that uncovers startling connections…and puts Rachel’s life on the line.

What made you want to write this story?
I was intrigued by some of the unusual concepts and phenomena in this book and wanted to explore them further. To say more would give the story away!

What research did you have to do for this book?
The research challenge was formidable for this entire series! I have no connections of any kind to the military, the FBI or law enforcement in any form. So in the course of writing these novels, I read books, scoured the Net and consulted police officers, FBI agents, physicians, academics and a host of experts in their fields. I also enrolled in our local Citizen Police Academy, which included a heart-pounding ride-along with a patrol officer. By the time I finished Against All Odds, the first book in the series, I had 75 single-spaced pages of research notes and reference citations for that book alone. That one was particularly challenging, since parts of the story take place in Afghanistan. But every book has unique research requirements, and since I’m a stickler for accuracy, I spend a good part of my work day fact-gathering.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
Okay—confession time. I don’t watch TV or go to many movies. I’m too busy writing! In my limited free time, I’d rather read, garden, visit family, take a walk, try a new recipe…the list goes on. So I’ll have to pass on this question, since I’m pathetically ignorant about the current crop of Hollywood leading men and women!

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I am hard at work on my next suspense series, Guardians of Justice, which will debut in January with Fatal Judgment. This series features three siblings (two brothers and a sister), all of whom are involved in justice-related professions. The first book revolves around a federal judge and the U.S. marshal assigned to protect her after her life is threatened.

How can readers get in contact with you?
I love to hear from readers! Feel free to e-mail at ireneHannon at irenehannon.com. (Just change the “at” to @--no direct link because I’m trying to avoid spam!) And do visit my website, http://www.irenehannon.com/, for news on my books. I update it regularly.

What are you currently reading?
I just finished judging a stack of books for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award competition. That kept me busy for a month!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I love to perform in community musical theatre productions, and I’ve been blessed to play the leading roles in classic shows like “Brigadoon,” “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes,” to name a few.

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
I’ve never had this question before! Hmm…maybe a well-loved dog? They seem to lead a nice life!

FAVORITES:

Color?
I like color, period. I’m not big on orange or avocado, but otherwise I’m easy to please. I had a yellow room for a lot of years growing up, and I do like that color because it reminds me of sunshine.

Childhood memory?
I had a wonderful childhood. My mom was—and is—a master at making even ordinary days special. And no father could ever have been more supportive of his daughter’s dreams. So every day is a happy memory.

Era to write about?
All my books are set in modern day.

What is/was this book’s release date?
In Harm’s Way was released in April.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book?
Yes. Excerpts for all three Heroes of Quantico books are posted on my website. Here’s a link to the one for In Harm’s Way: http://www.irenehannon.com/excerpt-harm.htm.

~~~~~~
*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of In Harm's Way!
TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.

+2 Read and leave a comment on one of my recent book reviews.

**You can earn a total of 4 entries if you do all of the above requirements. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries.**

*The contest will run from today (May 17) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (May 20). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 21st, 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.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

DADDY'S GONNA EAT YOUR FINGERS

I was packing for my business trip and my three year old daughter was having a wonderful time playing on the bed. At one point she said,"Daddy, look at this" , and stuck out two of her fingers.

Trying to keep her entertained, I reached out and stuck her tiny fingers in my mouth and said, "Daddy's gonna eat your fingers," pretending to eat them.

I went back to packing, looked up again and my daughter was standing on the bed staring at her fingers with a devastated look on her face.

I said, "What's wrong, honey?"

She replied, "What happened to my booger?"

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Anonymous Bride winner!

Winner:
The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough--
Doreen (priviesandprims@...)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard ~ 5 stars

The Country House Courtship
Linore Rose Burkard
Regency Inspirational Romance series #3
Harvest House Publishing
About the book:
Middlesex, England, 1818

It has been five years since Ariana Forsythe married The Paragon, Mr. Phillip Mornay. Now, Ariana's sister, Miss Beatrice Forsythe, is seventeen and determined to marry advantageously as well. (Surely Ariana's society connexions all but guarantee Beatrice's success-especially if Mr. Mornay is created a baronet by the Prince Regent! Ariana would be Viscountess Mornay.)

But the Mornay's have disappeared from high society as they raise a family at their country estate. Can Beatrice persuade them to chaperone her in London? And what about her business with the curate, Mr. O'Brien, whom Beatrice rashly promised to marry years earlier? She is too sophisticated now to settle for a mere clergyman-despite his agreeable countenance and gentle, understanding ways.

When Mr. Tristan Barton becomes tenant of the Manor House, Beatrice's hopes seem to have found their object. But when Ariana falls gravely ill, secrets come to light, motives are revealed, and pretenses that are easy to keep up in the darkness begin to crumble. As hearts are bared and truths uncovered, a country house courtship like no other cannot be far behind!

My review:
A good word that can be used to describe Beatrice for most of this book is foolish. She is quite sure that she knows what she wants, how she is going to get it, and she doesn’t really want other people’s opinions on the subject. But as the book progresses Beatrice grows in wisdom and she begins to see what is really important. Mr. O’Brian is a lot older now and a lot wiser. I really liked him as the male lead. (Although, Mr. Mornay is still my favorite guy!)

Linore’s writing does not disappoint. She has in this book the same historical detail and accuracy that made her first books great in my opinion. She has a style all her own, but very like that of Jane Austen. I think this is a great last book in this series and I look forward to more from Linore!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

JOKES THAT CAN BE TOLD IN CHURCH

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, 'Why is the bride dressed in white?'' The mother replied, 'Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.' The child thought about this for a moment then said, 'So why is the groom wearing black?'

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!' While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50.' The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100.' The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!'

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, 'They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.'

A police recruit was asked during the exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'

A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied, 'They couldn't get a baby-sitter.'

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, 'Johnny, what is the matter?' Little Johnny responded, 'I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife.'

Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about all this Satan stuff?' The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad.'

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Prayers, please...

Okay, so this is not what I want to be doing, but I'm putting my blogs on VERY temporary hiatus. The reason...

On Monday morning my parents took me to the ER, because I was having extreme stomach pains. Turns out I had appendicitis, so I had an emergency appendectomy.

I'm in recovery, at home, but I'm not up for anything requiring brain power right now. All I do is take naps... long ones.

So, please pray for me to have a quick and painless healing and that I can get back to blogging soon! Thanks!

~Carman

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

If you've ever worked for a boss that reacts before getting the facts and thinking things through, you will love this!

Arcelor-Mittal Steel, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hired a new CEO. The new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.

On a tour of the facilities, the CEO noticed a guy leaning on a wall. The room was full of workers and he wanted to let them know that he meant business.

He walked up to the guy leaning against the wall and asked, 'How much money do you make a week?'

A little surprised, the young man looked at him and replied, 'I make $400 a week Why?'

The CEO then handed the guy $1,600 in cash and screamed, 'Here's four weeks' pay, now GET OUT and don't come back.'

Feeling pretty good about himself, the CEO looked around the room and asked, 'Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did here?'

From across the room came a voice, 'He's the pizza delivery guy from Domino's.'