Welcome to the Mid-Month Madness Party! We really appreciate you coming by! We will be giving away six books so be sure to pay attention to how to enter.
To enter to win you MUST leave a comment WITH your email and you MUST ask one or more of the authors a question you'd like to know about them, their writing, or their books.
We are looking forward to getting to know you better and hope you'll get to know us better, too!
BE SURE TO DROP BY THE FACEBOOK PARTY FOR A CHANCE TO MINGLE WITH THE AUTHORS, AND EVEN MORE GREAT GIVEAWAYS!
IT'S TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 15TH, FROM 4:00 to 7:00 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME.
Bandolero
Yoana Armenta’s reckless behavior results in her, and her tía, being captured by bandoleros. Amado Castro gave a death bed promise that he intends to keep – at all costs - even if he must break a childhood vow. When his choice endangers Yoana, and her impulsive behavior endangers her, he must make a decision to honor his word, or to protect Yoana, and her tía. When the bandoleros threaten to sell the women to a fate worse than death, and the rancheros want to hang Amado, will they be able to trust God?
The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado
Can Matthew find a reason to go on living, and can Edith find someone who wants her for herself, before their Christmas Inn refuge is closed and they are forced to continue their search elsewhere, alone?
High Country Christmas
A High-Country Christmas - Two sweet tales of mishaps, memories, and emotions that test the mettle of two Western couples in the Colorado high country at Christmas.
Just in Time for Christmas
Abigale Millerton is seventeen with a ranch to run, a fear of heights, and a cowboy intent on stealing her heart.
Snow Angel
As a four-year-old, Lena Carver lost something precious at Christmas. Twenty years later, she's about to lose her heart.
Love's Kindling
After she rescues an injured man who is now blind, can an unloved woman help him see he is more than a hero in her eyes? And can she believe that she is worthy of his love?
War's Respite
The soldiers have returned home from the battle fields, but the conflicts in the hearts of the veterans create even more heartaches that will have enduring consequences from which some might never recover.
Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.
Donna Schlachter lives in Denver with husband Patrick. As a hybrid author, she writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts, and has been published more than 30 times in novellas and full-length novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Writers on the Rock, Sisters In Crime, and Christian Authors Network; facilitates a critique group; and teaches writing classes online and in person. Donna also ghostwrites, edits, and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. Donna is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.
Wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters, Davalynn Spencer writes cowboy romance. She is an ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author and winner of the Will Rogers Gold Medallion for Inspirational Western Fiction. And she’s fairly certain that her previous career as a rodeo journalist and crime-beat reporter prepared her for life in Colorado wrangling Blue the Cowdog and mouse detectors Annie and Oakley.
Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that released in 2019: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies including the recent Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, Live Happy. Scarred Vessels, a novel about black soldiers in the American Revolution, will release in 2020. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com
Direct a comment below to one or more of the authors for a chance to win her book giveaway! And don't forget to join the Mid-Month Madness Facebook party for even more great prizes!
Please be sure to include your email address in your comment using at and dot so we can notify you of your prize! Example: janedoe at gmail dot com
Looking good, ladies! Congratulations. Elaine Marie Cooper, how'd you manage TWO book babies?!!
ReplyDeleteHi Connie! Well it's called "fulfilling a contract!" LOL! But "War's Respite" is a novella so fewer words were required. That is always a help!! Sometimes, though, the words just flow and, before you know it, you're on the road to "The End."
DeleteHappy Friday, Ladies! Do you have a special memory from attending a writer's conference?
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Hi Caryl, one of the first writer's conferences I ever attended was Glorieta Writers Conference in New Mexico. I met Sally Stuart in the bathroom, and told her how much I enjoyed her Writers Market Guide, and asked if she had it on CD because I had a blind friend. Or if she had a database online version we could use to sort by topics, etc. She said she was soon coming out with a CD, but the database version was too complex. I thanked her and went on my way. When I got home, I relayed the conversation to hubby, who was a database programmer. He said he could probably do it for her. So I emailed Sally and introduced hubby to her. That began a great 5-year relationship where we worked for her, preparing one of the best tools for Christian writers. Such a blessing!
DeleteHi Caryl - My first conference was at Mt. Hermon near Santa Cruz, CA. I was so taken by the fact that I was at a conference with big-name writers, but the healing beauty of the setting was something I'll never forget. A beautiful place to be as I stepped into God's calling as a novelist.
DeleteMy very first writer's conference was a small assembly in Iowa. During Praise and Worship time, I felt such a deep impression that the Lord wanted me to write about my daughter, Bethany, who died from a brain tumor in 2003. I flinched at the calling but knew I needed to obey Him. Up until that time, I'd refused to even entertain the idea of re-visiting Bethany's battle against cancer. But I knew, right at that conference, that this was an "assignment" from the Lord. Ignoring Him was not an option.
DeleteHi Caryl, I have many special memories from writer's conferences. I went to one this year. A week before the conference something upsetting happened and I didn't even want to go. If I backed out I would lose quite a bit of money so I prayed and went. I was touched And encouraged in so many ways. God gave me so many moments of learning and of connecting with old friends and making new ones. It was an amazing conference.
DeleteTo all of the ladies I ask this question... In the midst of a family get together such as Thanksgiving or Christmas or the 4th of July etc, do you at some point catch yourselves looking at family members and think what a great character he or she would be in one of your stories?
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Ha - Melanie! How did you know?
DeleteI have one family member in particular who I patterned a character after. But I'll never reveal the secret! ;)
DeleteMelanie, I don't think I've ever based a character on a single person, but I use character traits and ways of speaking and pieces of people I know. Watching how people interact is a great way to study character.
DeleteHi Melanie, you sound like a writer. I'm going to get me one of those t-shirts that says something like, "be nice to me or I'll kill you off in my next book". Seriously, yes. I use family members, friends, and even myself all the time. I even use people I don't like as the villain.
ReplyDeleteTo all the ladies, How do you best bring glory to God? moma3homeschool(AT)gmail(DOT)com
ReplyDeleteBy praying about everything. Starting out my day with prayer and devotions. It puts me in a frame of mind to help me follow the Lord's will for me throughout the day. Then when I write, I pray my stories will bring glory to Him through the characters I depict and through their circumstances. Thanks for asking, Michelle!
DeleteMichelle, My writing is in God's hands. I pray and do my best to listen to what He wants me to write. I also pray for those who read the stories that they would hear what God wants them to hear and to be encouraged in their faith.
DeleteMichelle - Recently, I've been praying more frequently that God would give me ears to hear and eyes to see. Usually this results in me keeping my mouth shut tightly until I know what He wants me to say. Amazing how much better I hear Him when I'm not talking!
ReplyDeletethis question is for all the authors: Do you ever get writer's block and how do you overcome it? sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteShelia - I don't get true writer's block but if I'm having trouble working on one scene, I write another. Sometimes I write the ending, but that can always be changed, so I never feel like I'm working in stone. Blank pages can't be fixed but writing can.
DeleteI usually only get a "pause" in my writing if I need to research about something a bit more. Once I glean some facts, then I'm back in the writing saddle again!
DeleteHi Shelia, thanks for a great question. I don't usually get writer's block as such because I'm such an outliner. I sometimes "run out of words" -- I get to the point where I just don't have anything else to say about the story that day. That happens when I'm not refilling my word bucket by reading or watching TV shows that inspire the muse.
DeleteShelia, I have never had true writer's block where I couldn't write. I do have scenes where I need to stop and consider how they should best be played out. Doing chores or taking a walk are great ways to be productive and still sort through a plot tangle.
DeleteDona Schlachter. How often do you write every day or when an idea strikes you?
ReplyDeleteenderlins@gmail.com
Hi Kay, I've found that writing every day keeps me in the story, and it's easier to pick it up again the next day. I practice that habit when I'm under a deadline, either official or self-imposed. That said, when I'm in between books, I keep my hand in through researching a topic of interest, or writing blog posts.
DeleteNancyJ Farrier. Do you write everyday? or after you're done all of your research you sit down and then start writing a novel?
ReplyDeleteenderlins@gmail.com
Hi Kay, I write almost every day. I usually take Sunday off though unless I'm on deadline and a little behind. I find writing every day keeps the story flowing.
DeleteElaine Cooper. How long did it take you to do the research and write Wars Respite?
ReplyDeleteenderlins@gmail.com
Wow, good question, Kay. Since it's a novella—so shorter—and since most of the research for "Love's Kindling" came first, I know I wrote it in less than a month. The research had mostly been done already. Thanks for asking!
DeleteLadies, you have all done a marvelous job at being writers, managing families, for some work outside the house , run a household and I’m sure I’m leaving out a million more jobs. I know I couldn’t do it. Then add being able to come up with stories! You are all amazing! I applaud each of you. 👏
ReplyDeletekdanheim at hotmail dot com
Kathy, thank you for your encouraging words. It's true that our lives are exceptionally busy. I think if we didn't love writing so much, it would feel more like a burden. But I know I count it a privilege to write Christian fiction and I praise the Lord that He entrusts me with the task.
DeleteThank you, Kathy, for your kind observations. You are a reader - one of our most cherished blessings!
DeleteThanks, Kathy. I believe every woman wears many hats, and for me, writing is such a gift. I mean, I get to do something I love, and I get paid for it (sort of :)) I can't imagine how difficult this would be to do if I actually had an official "job". I'm so thankful God has given me these stories, and that I have a supportive husband who pays the bills and encourages me on from the sidelines.
DeleteKathy, thank you for the encouragement. Writing is hard, but I have to do it. Of course, many jobs are difficult. Having enthusiastic readers is always a blessing.
DeleteNancy, does living in Arizona contribute to your form of writing?
ReplyDeletekdanheim at hotmail dot com
I didn’t get to say everything, when my laptop decided to go crazy on me. lol
DeleteHave you always lived in Arizona? I have been there several times. I’m not sure about your area. It’s so different every area you go to. I have driven through going to California and to the Grand Canyon twice. I love Flagstaff.
Your life is so interesting. It’s so much fun to get to know the person behind the book. So besides living in Arizona, what inspired you to write the style and type of stories you do? Does your lifestyle have some to do with it, where you live and where you have traveled? It fascinates me how all of you can just sit down and write a story.
Hi Kathy, I grew up in Indiana, but moved to AZ in the early 70's. I love the mountains and the history of the Southwest. My writing has been influenced by both the history and the wonderful mix of cultures here. You are right, Arizona has so many different places to see. I live in the Southern part of the State and love the climate. Maybe not in August. :)
DeleteDonna, I love Colorado! My husband and I spent our honeymoon touring there. You have quite a resume. You have been a busy lady. I love suspense romance, both, historical and contemporary. How did you decide on suspense?
ReplyDeletekdanheim at hotmail dot com
Hi Kathy, thanks for asking. I have a strong sense of justice. I blame it on being the oldest of 5. I think it's because I was always getting blamed for whatever the younger ones did, since I was the oldest and I should have known better. (not my view, but anyway...) Suspense and mystery gives me the chance to find a solution and put my world back into order.
DeleteHello Ladies and Congratulations on your Books They all sound so amazing My questions is for all these wonderful Authors Who Inspired You To Become a writer? Thank you SARAHTAYLOR601973atYAHOOdotCom
ReplyDeleteMy Dad. I remember him encouraging me to write a story when I was young. I guess he saw a passion in me that I was unaware was there. I wish he were still here so I could share my books with him.
DeleteSarah - My sixth-grade teacher and my freshman English teacher both inspired me to pursue writing, and I so appreciate their encouragement.
DeleteI always liked telling and writing stories, even as a kid. In 11th grade, my English teacher loved me. I was the kid who always got A+ because I wrote more than the minimum. He encouraged me to enter a nation-wide writing contest, and I got an honorable mention. That told me I had some talent. Then I started writing when I was ill and couldn't work, and found healing through that. When I came to Denver, my husband was so supportive, and he wouldn't let me quit. He was the first person to tell me I had a calling to write, and I couldn't waste it.
DeleteSarah, I have always made up stories and "seen" them in my head. I thought everyone did that for a long time. I also loved reading. I still do. Writing is something I feel God called me to do, and I am very blessed to write,
DeleteDavalynn, my goodness, a bullfighter, how did you stay sane? I would have been biting my nails off. Did he ever get hurt? Is he still fighting? Everyone of you have very impressive backgrounds and lives. If I were to try to write, I’m afraid there wouldn’t be anything to write.
ReplyDeleteWhat inspired your style and and type of stories to write?
Forgot, kdanheim at hotmail dot com
DeleteKathy - my husband no longer fights bulls. It's not exactly a life-long career! But our son does. He doesn't travel as much as we did when he was growing up and he rodeos only in Colorado so he can drive home in the evening. When we were rodeoing full-time, I "stayed sane" via my bloody knees bent always in prayer over my husband and the occupation he chose. After he hung up his cleats and baggy pants, he became a police officer. From Bulls to Bullets. I think there's a book in there somewhere!
DeleteElaine, all four of you ladies have very impressive lives. I couldn’t even imagine having your lives. Tell me, what exactly made you decide on the eras you write? I think I read somewhere, where, either where you live now or before inspired you some, but there had to be more. It would probably make a good story of it’s own.
ReplyDeleteForgot, kdanheim at hotmail dot com
DeleteHi Kathy, I grew up in Massachusetts and developed a real passion to learn about the history of early America. Then one day at a family reunion, one of my mom's cousins informed me (none too kindly!) that one of my ancestors (not his) was a Redcoat soldier in the American Revolution. I was devastated!! I imagined coming from a line of patriotic ancestors but had to face something quite different. As a young girl, I was quite embarrassed. But with time and maturity my curiosity about my ancestors led me to do more research and it seemed like a whole new world had opened up for me. The history suddenly became personal and added a depth to my research and interest in the era.
DeleteThank you to all four of you! For taking the time to be here and on the other site tonight. Sharing your books and yourselves with everyone. I have enjoyed everything about it. I got blocked out on the last post. They thought they had me. lol I have no idea why they have started this. It’s been about a month ago. 🤷♀️ Who knows!
ReplyDeleteI hope you ladies have a wonderful night and a blessed weekend. ❤️
Forgot, kdanheim at hotmail dot com
DeleteThanks so much, Kathy. I pray your weekend is blessed as well!
DeleteThank you, Kathy, for joining the fun. We love visiting with our readers. Blessings!
DeleteHi Kathy, thanks so much for all your kind words!
ReplyDeleteThank you to all the authors who made the enjoyable, kid-friendly, party possible! 🤗
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed meeting you all at the party! How did you all get together in this group?
ReplyDeletedkstevensne at outlook dot com