End-of-the-Year Celebration DAY 2!

The winner of Day 1's giveaway (Blood Ransom, Portrait of Love, and Sharpshooter in Petticoats) is:

Renee Ann (reneeasmith61@...)

 

Congrats!

Lets get started on day 2 of the festivities! Today, I'm featuring authors Lisa Lickel, and Ann H Gabhart! :D

What is one thing or area where God has been changing you in 2010? Do you have any scriptures to go along with/support that?

Lisa: God is helping me care more about the details of grammar and punctuation and helping me strive to take better care of my approach to the written word. Philippians 4:8-9 "…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me--or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Ann: I’ve often got way too much on my schedule especially now that my mother is in fragile health and needing constant care. But I keep wanting to do it all. Write the books, read the books, bake the cookies, keep the grandkids, do the church bulletin, send cards and letters, blog, keep in touch with readers, take care of Mom. The list could go on and on. And where in that list is time for reflection, time for spiritual renewal? Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God” often settles in my mind. That’s what I think the Lord wants me to remember in the midst of my busy days. To stop and lift my thoughts to Him and know that He is to be exalted and worshiped as the rest of the Psalm verse goes on to say.

Tell one thing that God did for you this year just to show He loved you.

Lisa: He gave me a very special friend in retired pastor Bob Seater in our new church to care about, and who blesses me so much every time we meet and helps me feel peaceful about our very tough decision.

Ann: How can you condense a year’s worth of blessings into one thing? So I’ll just say he gave me another story to tell.

What is your favorite memory from 2010?

Lisa: My favorite memory of 2010 regarding my career would be sitting in the QuadCities Christian Writer's Conference as my friend author Robin Steinweg praised God with the precious gift of music. When she played and sang my favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision, I knew I was in the right place at the right time. What a blessing. My favorite family memory is celebrating my parents' 50^th anniversary with all of our immediate family including both my sons and their wives all together.

Ann: A lot of great things happened in 2010. Grandkid hugs and kisses. Walks in the woods. A trip to California. But I’ll go with a writing related memory – seeing the cover for my book, Angel Sister, due out in February. Every time I see that cover, I smile.

Do you have any New Year resolutions in mind?

Lisa: I keep trying to be a kinder person, less judgmental, to be more supportive. I can see I make small steps on that path with each choice and each attempt at networking.

Ann: I’m not great with New Year resolutions. But I do hope to establish a better writing routine. Oh yeah, and clean out my closet.

What is one goal you have set (or God has put on your heart) for 2011 apart from New Year resolutions?

Lisa: I so need to screw my courage to the sticking point and get out there and peddle my wares. If God made it good enough to create, I should believe it's good enough to share. I keep telling myself. In between hyperventilating. Okay…shh!! Don't tell anyone. We multi-published authors are supposed to love addressing big cheering crowds of adoring fans.

Ann: I want to write a book that will inspire and encourage readers and entertain them too. That’s my goal every year.

~~~~~


Giveaway! These authors, along with Maggie Brendan, have graciously offered these 3 books to one lucky winner!

 

Meander Scar, pdf, by Lisa Lickel
The Seeker, autographed, by Ann H Gabhart
A Love of Her Own, by Maggie Brendan


Rules:
For this party, only people with USA mailing addresses can enter. You must leave your email address in order to be entered so that I can contact you if you win.


Mandatory first entry: You must be a Google Friend Connect follower (in sidebar) of this blog, OR be an email subscriber (in sidebar) to this blog to enter this giveaway. Let me know in your comment to enter (with your email address) which you are.


Extra Entries:


+1 Post the link for this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. (If you do both, that is +2)


+1 GFC follow or email subscribe to my other blog, Christian Book Giveaways.


+1 Put the buttons for one or both of my blogs on your blog. (You can get the HTML in my sidebar.) If you put both buttons up, that is +2.

+1 For every friend you get to come, enter this giveaway, and say that you sent them. (Make sure they use a name that I can connect with you. I want to make sure the extra points go to the right person!

+2 Post about this giveaway on your blog, telling which books will be given away.


+3 Leave a comment for at least one of the authors in this giveaway encouraging them with something you like about them personally, their writing, or one of their books.


I have one special way to gain extra entries, so pay close attention… For every day that the banner for this End-of-the-Year Celebration at the TOP of your blog (starting the 22nd) it will count as +1 entry towards the final blowout giveaway on the 30th and 31st. That means you can earn up to 10 more entries in the final giveaway!!! You can grab the banner’s HTML HERE.


This giveaway ends tomorrow [CHRISTMAS!] (Saturday, December 25) at 6 p.m. CST. I will try to promptly contact the winner after that time. Winners will be announced in the next morning's post.

A Love of Her Own by Maggie Brendan ~ 5 stars

A Love of Her Own

Maggie Brendan

Heart of the West series #3

Revell Publishing

About the book:

She has everything her heart desires . . . except the one thing money can't buy.

Still cautious after a broken engagement, April McBride fully intends to guard her heart when she travels to Lewistown, Montana, to attend her brother's wedding. One look around the small mining town convinces April that doing so won't be difficult--just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with horse trainer Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and . . . love?

Can April and Wes see past their differences to envision a future together? Or are they destined to live the rest of their lives alone?

My review:
Sweet, touching, engaging, and heartwarming are all great words to describe this book. April is a character that I really grew fond of, and I love the person she changed into as the story progressed. I can't wait to read more from this great new author!

The Jewel of His Heart winner!

The very lucky winner of Maggie Brendan's book, The Jewel of His Heart, is:

Praying Mom!

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing address.

Maggie Brendan ~ Interview + Giveaway

Today author Brenda Lott, a.k.a. Maggie Brendan (her pen name), is telling us about her new book, The Jewel of His Heart. She has offered to give away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter!

Welcome, Brenda! Tell us a little about yourself.

I love history so that’s one of the reasons I write historical novels and enjoy reading other historical writer’s books. I wrote stories off and on for many years, but really concentrated on getting published a little more than five years ago. My brother, who was a writer too, was very instrumental in giving me the extra push to finish my book. When he suddenly died, I realized how short my time on earth was, and if I was going live my dream to be a writer, then I’d have to work harder. I live in Georgia with my husband. I have two grown children and 4 precious grandchildren. I love to sing with our choir at church. I simply love the West (and the South, too :) ). But the mountains have always intrigued me with their awesome beauty and fresh mountain air.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing stories most of my life but finally completed my first novel about five years ago. I have two books published now, No Place for a Lady, The Jewel of His Heart, and one releasing in June, A Love of Her Own.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, is your writing sweet, warm, sensual, etc. (in terms of romance/kissing)?
I’ve been compared to Janet Oke, Lori Wick, and LaVyrle Spencer and I’m honored because they are all wonderful.
I’d say my writing is sweet and warm in the terms of romance.

In your own words tell us a little about The Jewel of His Heart.
My series is titled The Heart of the West. The story is about love, forgiveness and choosing between the jewels of this world or the more eternal value of a woman’s love. It revolves around a sheepherder and a young woman determined who has little trust in men.

Blurb:

Romance readers have taken to Maggie Brendan's softer romantic style that perfectly captures life on the American frontier, introducing them to rugged, independent souls and their inner spiritual struggles, and the quest for love that makes for a satisfying read every time. Set in 1890s Montana, The Jewel of His Heart finds Juliana drawn to a handsome, gentle sheepherder--but sparks fly when he considers mining, the occupation that lured her father away from his family. Both Josh and Juliana must make a choice--the world's riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.

My review HERE.

What made you want to write this story?
The idea for this story came about after my brother, Jess McCreede (Jerry O’Neal) died, suddenly. He was a western writer and was Deputy Superintendent of Glacier National Park. About six months after he died, I attended the ACFW Denver conference and then traveled on to Montana to see his writing cabin. After exploring the historic nearby towns, I kept seeing Yogo sapphires in many of the shops windows. My husband bought me a pretty Yogo ring. Later I saw the book about the history of the Yogo and thought it’d be fun to create a story around the time of their discovery.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I visited Montana then I read a book on Yogos and its history to get the time frame to work with my story. A lot of research goes into using accurate details for 1896, and I read about sheepherding as well. When I’m heavy into reading and research my desk is strewn with Maps, books, articles, etc. What a mess.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?

Dale Midkiff would be perfect for Josh McBride. Zooey Deschanel would be perfect for Juliana with her enormous blue eyes.

What are you working on now or going to write next?

I’ve recently signed a contract for three more books entitled The Blue Willow Brides. It’s about three sisters from Holland who comes to America as mail order brides.

How can readers get in contact with you?

This is my blogspot blog address: http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com/
I am one of many great authors who post on this blog: http://bustlesandspurs.blogspot.com/


What are you currently reading?
Oh my…let’s see, I’ve just finished reading a fellow writer’s historical for endorsement and I have a big stack started. Love’s Rescue by Tammy Barley, From a Distance by Tamera Alexander, are the two I’ve been trying to read first. My stack just keeps growing. I’m also reading several books on Wyoming for research for the book I’m writing now.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I used to—many years ago—sing with an ensemble and in concert choir and I’ve done solos. I’m glad I did that when I was young because now I get too nervous!

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
The tiger is my favorite in the animal kingdom. They are exotically beautiful and I love cats. I like they way they appear aloof but never miss a thing, stealthy moving about.

FAVORITES:
TV show, and/or movie?
I’ve not had a lot of time to watch TV, but I love Dancing With the Stars, American Idol and I watch a lot of Hallmark movies. I could watch Little House on the Prairie every day.

Place to go on vacation?
I love to vacation in Telluride, Colorado or Glacier National Park in Montana or Jackson, Wyoming. All are so magnificent!

The Jewel of His Heart released October 1, 2009.

~~~~~

**USA residents only, please**

***If you have any questions for Brenda, leave a comment and she will stop by throughout the week to answer back***

Okay readers, here is your chance to win a copy of The Jewel of His Heart! To enter: Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win), and 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 (Nov. 20) until 10:30 CST on Thursday (Nov. 26). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 27th, 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.

The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan ~ 4/5 stars

The Jewel of His Heart

Maggie Brendan

Revell- Publisher

About the book:

Their future is as wide open as the Montana sky.

Juliana Brady is alone in an 1890s Montana mining town, with few prospects for making a living. But she is determined not to be dependent on the charity of others.

Josh McBride is trying to scrape up a living from his sheep herd while he builds his ranch. But when he discovers some rare stones on his property, he's tempted by the prospect of fast money.

When their paths cross, Juliana and Josh must make a choice--the world's riches and promises, or the eternal value of love.

My review:

Josh McBride is probably one of my favorite heroes. I love the way he just blurts things out! He isn’t too bold, but he will say what is on his mind, and I like that. I think he shocked Juliana a few times. ;) Juliana is a character that you can really understand. She has been hurt, and because of that is very cautious. I liked how things turned out with her father. That was a good ending, because I would have hated it if she never new what had happened to her dad. (I hate it when there are loose ties at the end of a book.) In the end Juliana realizes that Josh is well worth the risk, and everything turns out wonderfully. I’m really looking forward to book three!