Saturday, February 6, 2010

Love Finds You in February!!!

The "Love Finds You in February" Contest kicks off today and runs until Valentine's Day. If you leave a comment (and your contact information) at one of the following blogs and your name is selected, you'll win a copy of one of the fantastic Love Finds You titles highlighted below.

We’re giving away free copies of eight separate books--not all to one person, either! There will be eight winners, and here's how you can become one of them:

We’re not doing canned author interviews. You’ll be doing the interviewing! Pick as many authors as you like, ask any question you please (such as, something about their book(s), their writing or personal lives), and the author will post the answer in the Comments section. Be sure to bookmark the page and come back often (or have comments forwarded to your email) so you can keep track of the answers. And be sure to identify which author the question is for!

PLEASE NOTE: If someone has already asked the author of your choice a question on that particular blog, you must pick another author and a different question. Questions will be moderated before posting, so naturally, no inappropriate questions will be included.

All of the participating authors will post this same contest on their personal blogs. You can visit each one by clicking on the link listed with each book/author below. That way you can ask a different author a question on each blog, if you’d like (and increase your chances of winning!). You're allowed multiple entries for posting on different blogs... but only one entry per blog.

So let's get started! You can click on each author's







TRICIA GOYER AND OCIEANNA FLEISS

Web site www.triciagoyer.com
Blog www.triciagoyer.blogspot.com
Blog www.ocieanna.blogspot.com



Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana

Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City. But in 1890, the young woman must head west to ensure that the orphans under her care are settled into good families. After her final stop in Montana, she plans to head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, Julia learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be delivered into the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new bride. She turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from a forced marriage but with no return fare and few friends, Julias options are bleak. What is Gods plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?



MIRALEE FERRELL
Blog: www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com
Web site: www.miraleeferrell.com






Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
In the thriving 1902 lumber mill community of Bridal Veil, accidents happened.
But nobody expected murder.
Against the backdrop of the breathtaking Bridal Veil Falls in a historic Oregon logging community, a schoolteacher finds herself torn between a past love and the man who could be her future. Sixteen-year-old Margaret Garvey promised her heart to Nathaniel Cooper the night he disappeared from town. Four years later, just as she’s giving love a second chance with Andrew, a handsome logger, Nathaniel suddenly returns to town with a devastating secret. While grappling with the betrayal of those she trusted most,Margaret risks her reputation and position by harboring two troubleds disaster strikes the town and threatens the welfare of its citizens, Margaret will be faced with the most important choice of her life.


Love Finds You in Last Chance, California

Alexia’s father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the town's all-too-willing bachelors would offer her an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons men's trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own. But des pite Alex's best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her father's gold goes missing. Alex is at her wit's end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin's story than he's willing to share. Will Alex ever be able to trust him?



CERELLA D. SECHRIST:
Blog: www.thecerellalife.com
Web site: www.cerelladsechrist.com







Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
“Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania is a swirl of chocolaty goodness mixed with multi-layered characters and a touch of surprise. In this lively tale of a klutzy-yet-fiery heroine with a will to succeed, Cerella D. Sechrist creates a delicious story of forgiveness, grace and sweet romance. Highly recommended.” -Julie Carobini, author of Truffles by the Sea and Sweet Waters.

Chef Sadie Spencer has learned that in life, as well as in food, sour balances sweet. After returning to her deliciously charming hometown of Hershey with a young daughter in tow, Sadie has managed to rise from the ashes following the death of her husband, the passing of her mother, and the dissolution of her career as a TV chef. With the help and encouragement of her best friend, Jasper, she opens a restaurant and looks forward to savoring the sweet side of life. That is, until a handsome Russian entrepreneur arrives in town, apparently intent on opening up his own restaurant in direct competition to hers. Sadie becomes obsessed with honing the one skill she’s never had – creating desserts – to keep up with her adversary, and in the process, she finds a love that’s simply icing on the cake.



SANDRA BRICKER:
Blog: http://sandradbricker.blogspot.com
Web site: www.SandraDBricker.com






Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
Award-winning author of laugh-out-loud comedy for the inspirational market. The Big 5-OH! - Abingdon Press - Due on bookstore shelves 2/1/10 Always the Baker, Never the Bride - Abingdon Press - Due on bookstore shelves 9/1/10

Cassie Constantine has no intention of staying in Florida. She's just there to get her late husband's vacation home ready for the real estate market, but the place needs more work than Cassie bargained for. What's more, her widow status is like a target on her back, and the elderly matchmakers around town manage to sidetrack her mission at every turn. Holiday is a landmine of golf tournaments, ballroom dancing competitions and unexpected intrigue. But the biggest obstacle of all? Richard Dillon, the stuffed shirt she's paired with on the dance floor. He makes her heart beat faster than the rhythm of The Quickstep.



Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
So what if she can't hook a fish? This city girl has a plan to snag something else...and his name is Justin. Lucy Binoche is reasonably attractive, intelligent, and fit. She has French lineage and better-than-average hair. So why is she nearly 30and still single? Justin Gerard is the rugged hottie new to her church's singles group. When he signs up for a camping trip in the Ozarks, Lucy loses no time writing her name on the line beneath his. Theres only one problem Lucy's idea of "roughing it" is suffering through a long line at Starbucks. She assumes she can rely on the grace of God and the assistance of her friend to get through.

But at the campsite in Snowball, Arkansas, Lucy bungles everything she attempts as she tries to impress Justin. She can't fish, hike, or ride a horse; caves make her hyperventilate; and hot-air balloons make her ill. Soon, events are snowballing out of control. Will Lucy pretend to be someone shes not just to snag a boyfriend? Or will she discover someone who loves her just as she is?



LOREE LOUGH:
Blog: www.theloughdown.blogspot.com
Web site: http://www.loreelough.com






Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska

A former marine is no match for the spunky Sam Sinclair!

Wounded in battle, Bryce Stone has returned to his home town of North Pole, Alaska, aknd the self-admitted scrooge isn’t happy about living in the town “Where the spirit of Christmas Lives Year Round.” What’s worse, he must postpone his dream of opening a furniture-making shop when his aunt retires and leaves him the family’s cramped and cluttered Christmas boutique. When Bryce underestimates the young woman he’d hired to manage the store, it becomes a battle of wills, and soon Bryce and Sam find themselves fighting for more than just the success of the shop.



Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania

For as long as anyone can remember, tourists have flocked to the quaint town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where Amish buggies are as common as shops that sell hand-crafted goods. But to attorney Julia Spencer, this town is anything but a paradise. Raised in foster homes, Julia has succeeded in life only through steely determination and independence. The close-knit

Amish people are a mystery to her. But local veterinarian Simon Thomas knows them well and is fiercely protective of their simple ways, which are increasingly threatened by the outside world. When Julia agrees to defend a local teenager charged in a case involving an Amish boy, she and Simon find themselves on opposite sides of an intense legal and emotional battle. Just when it seems they will never understand one another, God has something to teach them both about the power of forgiveness… and the joys to be found in Paradise.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi!
This question is for Ocieanna!

I was wondering, how do you choose the name and personalities of your characters? Do you base them on people you know?

Thanks!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot(com

Ocieanna Fleiss said...

Hi Kim, That's a great question. The names and personalities of the characters grow from the whole process. Isaac, for example, in Lonesome Prairie, is a circuit preacher. So we liked the name Isaac because it's biblical. Isaac means laughter, he was searching for a wife...but the comparisons with the name doesn't go further than that. His personality is loosely based on my church's intern. If I didn't know what Isaac would do, I'd think, What would our intern do? Isaac's vow grew out of the plot as well as his personality. So you see, it all kind of works together. God bless, Kim!

Martha A. said...

I guess this one is for Tricia....
let's see something I have not asked you before! = )
Do you like writing non-fiction or fiction better? martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Tricia Goyer said...

Martha, when I'm writing fiction I like non-fiction better. When I'm writing non-fiction I like fiction! Haha. Actually I love everything I write and it's all hard!

Casey said...

I would lOVE to read this book!

This is for Ocieanna.

How did you and Tricia work together to write this story?

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

apple blossom said...

Ocieanna...

Is is hard to co-author a book like this?

I'd love to win your book. sounds interesting.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Martha A. said...

This question is for Cerella...Did you know any Russians when you wrote about Dmitri??I am just curious as I am married to a Russian.
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Cerella Sechrist said...

Martha,

Does your husband have an accent? You lucky girl!! :) I do not really know any Russians. I know lots of people of different ethnicities, but I can't say Dmitri was inspired by anyone I know specifically. He just sorta snuck in there, all mysterious-like, and stole the show for me. I have a total soft spot for him, though, and I'm absolutely charmed by the Russian accent. :) Thanks for asking!!

TheAtticGirl said...

This question is for Ocieanna:

Do you have any pets? Are you a cat or dog person or both?

Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions and have a chance at getting a free book!

donnyandshelly at yahoo dot com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

This question is for Miralee. You definitely lean more toward historicals. So, if you were to write a contemporary for Summerside, do you have an idea of what the story would be or the setting?


Tiff
tiff [at] amberstockton [dot] com
Amber Stockton

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Tiffany and thanks for the question, it's a good one...and hard for me to answer. I do have two contemporaries, but they're both women's fiction. I'm working on another one, but none of them are romances...they're more issue and character driven. For some reason when it comes to romance, my mind is drawn toward historical. Maybe because I'd love to have lived back then, and see a lot of romance in that era.

I do have an idea for one for Summerside, but it's set in the 1930's, LOL...and that's as contemporary as I've been able to get so far! It deals with a mafia family and a daughter trying to escape that life and find a new one.

Miralee

Ocieanna Fleiss said...

Hi Casey, That's the number one question I get! When Tricia and I write together, here's how it works. We come up with the plot and characters, so we have a general idea of where the story is going. Then I start writing the chapters (I take the plot all over the place rarely near where we planned, ha ha!) I leave stuff out as I write and write notes in the margin for poor Tricia to fix or add. I might give a character a brother that he didn't have before and tell Tricia to put the brother in. Or, most often, it's historical stuff. With our WWII book, for example, I'd write about a B-17 bomber and leave the details for Tricia to provide. So Tricia would go through and add all the stuff I left out, as well as deepening character development and adding a few scenes. Then with Lonesome Prairie, she sent it back to me, and I went through it one last time, then off to our wonderful editor. We have a lot of fun working together!

Martha A. said...

Ocieanna....I asked Tricia the same question...! It is funny to hear from your prospective as well.
Cerella, yes, my husband has an accent. He was born in Russia and came here when he was 15. I have lived immersed in the Russian culture for the past 14 years now, almost 13 of those we have been married.
I guess I better ask another question since I am commenting! = )

Sandra, you have one story in Florida and one in the snow...which climate did you prefer writing about? martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Nolatari said...

For Ocieanna: What is your favorite part of the writing process? The initial idea and inspiration, the research, developing plot and character, or the end result when you see it all come together?

Ocieanna Fleiss said...

Shelly, Growing up I loved cats! I loved them as an adult too until we had babies and they didn't get along. I think someday I'd like to have cats again, but don't tell my husband. :)

Ocieanna Fleiss said...

Nolatari, I love the whole writing process, BUT my favorite part is when I'm stuck over what a character will do and then BAM the answer comes. That's it! It's so exciting, and the answer almost always comes when I'm not sitting in front of the computer. Great question.

Author and Editor Sandra D. Bricker said...

Martha: I've lived in the tropics, snowstorms, and everywhere in between. I am NOT a fan of tropical heat like Florida. It just wears on me. Although I love cold weather and prefer it to anything else, I keep reading about DC right now and know that my friend Loree is dealing with all that snow and the challenges that come with it ... Yikes. So I guess I'll stick to my warm weather and occasional hurricane warnings. :-)

apple blossom said...

I have some favorite questions to as you authors.

# 1

We'll give to Cerella,
Who is your favorite fairytale princess?

apple blossom said...

#2 Tricia

Do you have a favorite holiday? Which one and why?

apple blossom said...

#3 Miralee

Do you have a favorite color?

apple blossom said...

#4 Loree

Your favorite past time, hobby, etc. (not book or writing related)

apple blossom said...

#5 Sandra

Of all the places you've visited in your life... which was your favorite and why?

Author and Editor Sandra D. Bricker said...

Abi: I'm a California girl through and through. I was born in Oceanside, and lived in the Los Angeles area for most of my adult life. Right now as I type, I'm preparing for a research tour through Carmel. So although I can't really narrow it down to one city (love San Diego and Santa Barbara!), it would definitely have to have the Pacific Ocean at its border. There's nothing like the blue sea of home.

Cerella Sechrist said...

Abi,

Hmm, I'm not sure I have a favorite fairytale princess! As a child, my favorite Disney movie was "Alice in Wonderland" (I watched it to death!) But Alice doesn't really qualify. My best guess would be Rapunzel (can you consider her a fairytale princess?) because I was always enchanted by the thought of her long hair and how the prince had to climb it to see her. :)

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Abi,

My favorite color has always been blue. It used to be a deep, rich, royal blue, now I lean more towards teal...but emerald green is a close second. Both are such rich colors and seem to draw me in...plus, I have to admit, that since I have blue eyes, they're both good colors on me, as well, LOL!

Emma said...

Hi!
This question is for Ocieanna and Tricia . How long did it take you to write Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana?Please enter me in the giveaway. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Unknown said...

This question is for Loree!

What is your favourite movie and why?

Thanks!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Ocieanna Fleiss said...

Hi Emma, We had only four months to write Lonesome Prairie! They gave us the title and we came up with the plot, characters, research, and everything in four months! Crazy! But really fun too.

Loree Lough said...

To answer Abi's question (what's my favorite movie, and why):

The list of movies I watch over and over is WAY too long to list here. But if I have to choose just one? I'd pick "Secondhand Lions". For one thing, I'll watch just about anything starring Robert Duvall. For another, that storyline is good old-fashioned entertainment!

Have a happy day, m'dear!
Loree

Elyssa said...

This question is for Miralee. How much research went into your books?

God bless,
Elyssa

lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Elyssa,

Sorry for the long delay in answering but I haven't been able to get any web sites to load pretty much all day. Sigh.

I do quite a bit of research about the area, the history and events that took place at the time my story is set. I visit the place I'm writing about, interview local people, go to museums, find books and cruise the internet, as well as taking a lot of pictures.

One of the awesome things about it is getting to visit new places. I love that!

Miralee