CFBA Blog Tour - Amy Wallace and Healing Promises

Today, I'm re-running a blog spotlight from April because this week it's part of her week-long blog tour with Multnomah AND CFBA's blog tour. This gives you *TWO* more chances to win a copy of her book. Be sure and leave a comment to enter.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Healing Promises
(Multnomah Publishers - April 15, 2008)
by Amy Wallace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises, a wife, homeschool mom of three, speaker, Bible study leader, and avid chocoholic. She loves crafting high-action suspense that delves deep into heart issues, but who she really is can be summed up in a few short words: Amy is a daughter of the King learning to live and love with laughter. Please visit her at http://www.amywallace.com/. Sign up for her Dark Chocolate Suspense Newsletter and stay up to date on all of Amy's latest news.

And don't forget to visit the Defenders of Hope web site for more information about these books and the themes of inspiration behind them.

HEALING PROMISES
by Amy Wallace
Published by Multnomah Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Chained To Yesterday
When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future
An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.

The Past Is the Key
A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

Read the first chapter here.

Buy your copy of Healing Promises today!

Ransomed Dreams is the first book in this Defenders of Hope series. It's important to read this prior to reading Healing Promises. Healing Promises won't lose you as it can stand alone, but there are some spoilers in the first chapter and Amy would hate to ruin Ransomed Dreams for you if you haven't read it first.

Facing a new threat.
When FBI Agent Clint Rollins takes a bullet during a standoff, it might just save his life. But not even the ugly things he’s seen during his years working in the Crimes Against Children Unit could prepare him for the overwhelming powerlessness of hospital tests revealing an unexpected diagnosis. If only Sara weren’t retreating into doctor mode…he needs his wife now more than ever.

Frozen in fear.
Sara Rollins is an oncologist with a mission–beating cancer when she can, easing her patients’ suffering at the very least. Now the life of her tall Texan husband is at stake. She never let the odds steal her hope before, but in this case, the question of God’s healing promises is personal. Can she hold on to the truth she claimed to believe?

Faith under fire.
As Clint continues to track down a serial kidnapper despite his illness, former investigations haunt his nightmares, pushing him beyond solving the case into risking his life and career. Clint struggles to believe God is still the God of miracles. Especially when he needs not one, but two. Everything in his life is reduced to one all-important question: Can God be trusted?

Read the first chapter here.

Buy your copy of Healing Promises today!


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. Healing Promises is book 2 in your Defenders of Hope series. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

One of the major storylines for Healing Promises came from a question I posed to the federal agent I interviewed before writing Ransomed Dreams. I had the seed of an idea about FBI Agent Clint Rollins's emotion journey, so I asked, "What would a federal agent do if he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness?" My expert advisor said that many agents would end the battle fast. I knew then I wanted to explore how a Christian federal agent would handle a life-altering medical diagnosis.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I didn't realize until writing the end of Healing Promises how much of my recent journey through intense physical pain from a shoulder injury and my faith struggles were woven into the characters and their experiences. All I was aware of doing was pouring my soul into the pages. My writing mentor calls this "bleeding into your work." The process is painful, and yet it's one of the best ways to bring stories to life.

But the characters in Healing Promises are far less me and more composites of real-life heroes and heroines who've faced life-threatening illnesses and held onto Jesus. At the same time, Clint, Michael and Steven along with Sara, Hanna and Gracie have their own unique quirks and ways of approaching life. The result of taking different personality elements and blending them in various ways provides one of the most fun parts of writing.

3. What themes exist in Healing Promises that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

My prayer is that readers will experience a deeper sense of the goodness and trustworthiness of God, even when life doesn’t go according to plan. I also hope readers will see that at the end of ourselves only one truth remains—God is good. What we do with that fact changes everything.

The theme of weaknesses and how we deal with them grew as I dug into the story and got to know the characters better.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The hardest parts to write were the scenes in the killer's POV. But I longed to write them well so parents could see some of the "tricks of the trade" kidnappers use and be a little more informed about keeping their children safe.

The best parts to write were at the end, so I can't really elaborate on them. :) But there are two scenes that still make me cry—even after editing them over and over and over again. I can say that I loved writing the depth of relationship that exists between various characters: Clint and Sara, Steven and his sister, Hanna, and the friendship between Clint and Steven and Lee and Michael. Writing those character's interactions were usually a great deal of fun.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Enduring Justice, the third book in the Defenders of Hope series, releases in spring of 2009. This is Michael and Hanna's story and focuses on a painful secret and a racially motivated killer. When circumstances simplify the options to fight or fear, Michael and Hanna learn that the difference between executing vengeance and pursuing justice is their choice to heal.

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Thank you, Amy, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win one of TWO FREE copies of Healing Promises.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Blog Tour - Tricia Goyer and A Whisper of Freedom

Today, I am one of several blogs kicking off a fabuloso blog tour featuring Tricia Goyer and the final book in her chronicles of the Spanish Civil War series. It lasts all this week.

Not only do you get to learn more about Tricia and her book, BUT you get to participate in a MEME questionnaire where your answers will enter you in a chance to win a FREE copy of this book PLUS be part of a group from which THREE lucky winners will be chosen to win your own "lost gold" (copies of the entire book set AND gourmet chocolate coins). :)

And there's more!

You also can enter for 1 of FIVE chances to win the book set by signing up for Tricia's fantastic newsletter here.

Here is the link to the blog tour schedule:
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/03/whisper-of-freedom-meme-sticky-post.html

Everything else is found below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

A WHISPER OF FREEDOM
by Tricia Goyer
Published by Moody Publishers

Links:
Book excerpt: http://www.triciagoyer.com/cmsdocuments/WhisperCh1.doc
Watch the series trailer: http://cg.creativenuclei.com/wip/TriciaGoyer/cscw.html
Tricia's website: http://www.triciagoyer.com/
Tricia's Blogs: http://www.triciagoyer.com/blogs.html

During the tour, anyone can enter to win one of FIVE signed copies of A Whisper of Freedom by signing up for Tricia's newsletter here!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Battles heat up...not only those being waged by the soldiers on both sides fighting for Spain, but in the hearts and minds of the men and women who must sacrifice more than their dreams to save the lives of their loved ones.

In this meticulously researched novel, brave and idealistic Sophie, Philip, Jose, and Deion realize their only hope for freedom is escaping Spain's borders.

By continuing the story of this band of volunteers during the Spanish Civil War, A Whisper of Freedom proves that there are whispers of hope and liberty that resonate through even the darkest night.

Buy your copy of A Whisper of Freedom today!

Other books in the series:
Valley of Betrayal (book 1) - For reasons beyond her control, Sophie finds herself alone in the war-torn Spanish countryside. What was once a thriving paradise has become a battleground for fascist soldiers and Spanish patriots. It doesn't take long for Sophie to realize just how far from home she really is. Caught in the middle of what is quickly becoming a bloody battleground, she receives tragic news, but remaining in Spain is her only option. The route to safety is blocked and fighting surrounds her. On her darkest night, Sophie takes refuge with a brigade of international compatriots. It is among these volunteers, through the use of her fiancés camera and her art, that she pledges to make the plight of the Spanish people known around the world.

A Shadow of Treason (book 2) - Sophie discovers that nothing is as she first imagined. When Walt, the reporter who helped her over the border, shows up again after Guernica is bombed, Sophie is given an impossible mission. She must leave behind the man she's fallen in love with and return to the person who betrayed her. Another layer of the war in Spain is revealed as Sophie is drawn into the international espionage schemes that could turn the tide of the war and help protect the soldiers from the International Brigade ... but can she find a way to get the information she's discovered to Walt before it's too late?

MEME Questions

1. List three things you would do with a chest full of gold (assuming you got to keep it!)

* cash it in, put a large amount in savings or a Roth IRA and other investments with good returns on the deposit
* entice Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom to come take a look at it, so I can indulge in my fantasy of pirates and being a lass they come to visit when in port :)
* set it out and see if a rainbow forms so I can discover if those little leprechauns really do exist

2. List three charities/missions/organizations you support (and why).

* Pike's Peak Christian Church (because it has a solid family-based ministry and meets our spiritual needs
* City Hearts, they have a mission of bringing the arts to inner city children who wouldn't otherwise have that exposure
* ChildHelp USA with their mission to help abused or neglected or abandoned children find healing, hope and sometimes new families

3. List three ways you have volunteered your time/services.

* working with children in Sunday School and Children's Church
* playing taxi service
* going on short-term mission trips to Mexico and Venezuela

4. List three things you keep "hidden" when company comes over.

* my Tiki bird slippers
* the dog who loves to lick people and jump on them
* dishes until they need to be used and mounds of paperwork as much as possible

5. List the last three things you've lost.

* my mind
* my keys
* my ability to ignore into the voices in my head

6. List the last three things you've found.

* a long-spout watering can for my plants, since I'm short and have trouble reaching them
* contentment
* my sense of humor

* * * * *

Readers, you've been tagged to answer the MEME questions above for your chance to win a FREE copy of A Whisper of Freedom. Be as creative as you like. The more creative the better. Have fun with the questions. Answer them all or just one of them. Your comment gets you entered.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Heartsong Presents -- Readers & Authors Community!

As many of you know, my first books are part of the Heartsong Presents Book Club. The first released in February and will be on Amazon.com in July. The 2nd and third release in July and December. It's such an honor to be part of the club of which I've been a member since its inception in 1991. With 48 books released each year, that means I've read 768 books and only a handful this year due to book deadlines and other things that have kept me away.

It's fantastic to see such a wholesome book club that brings joy to so many members each month. Even better is how the club has its own online presence that has grown by leaps and bounds this year.

They have short stories available online, contests, giveaways, author blog links, trivia, sneak previews, recipes, places to write reviews of the latest books for the HP Readerzine, and so much more! For anyone who loves romance and reading romance stories, the HP web site is THE place to be.

I want to encourage you to link to www.heartsongpresents.com from your own blog and/or website. Also encourage your friends and fellow readers and authors to link to Heartsong Presents.

New content is being added every day! If we spread the word, we can create a really cool community of authors and readers. Check out some of the new stuff!

HP and HP Mysteries on ShoutLife!
http://www.shoutlife.com/heartsongpresents
http://www.shoutlife.com/heartsongmysteries

Free Online Stories: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/online-stories/

Inspirational Networking, Social Networking Groups, and author blogs: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/author-blogs/

Easy-to-make recipes pulled right from the pages of our stories: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/recipes/

It's a great place to hang out. So come on by!

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Spotlight on Shirley Connolly and The Flame Within

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shirley Connolly presently lives in Brookings, Oregon with her husband Tom. The two of them have served in the ministry together in some capacity for over 25 years. They have three children now grown. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Shirley states she began attempting her writing career early. Although her creative imagination and love for make-believe keep her active as an historical fiction writer of mostly romance, she also wears other hats penning devotionals, teaching, and speaking at women's retreats and small seminars. Also a lover of research, Shirley keeps her books as true to life as possible, while hoping to lace them gently with nuggets of inspiration that will draw not only the believer but also the seeker to her pages. She focuses her light-hearted devotionals on simple everyday living as books of encouragement to women young and old.

Visit her blog as well as her web site to learn more about her.

THE FLAME WITHIN
by Shirley Kiger Connolly
Published by Vintage Romance Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

A journey across the sea begins a journey of healing for Aimée's soul and a discovery of love and faith she thought she'd never find. When a Yankee-induced fire destroys her family and her home, young plantation-bred Amethyst Rose finds herself on the run. Angry towards God and the men in blue, Amethyst's only choice left is to move in with her elder and controlling sister, who runs a bordello in The French Quarter of New Orleans-a decision guaranteed to destroy Amethyst's personal respect and tarnish her family name. With her bitter hatred towards all Yankees plunged into high gear, nothing seems to matter anymore, until, on a riverboat en route to New Orleans, she finds herself intrigued by the presence of not one, but two Union officers. Each in his own way find ways to tug at the heart and soul of this woman lost.

Buy Your Copy Today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

At first it was from reading an old romance about New Orleans back in the late 70s. I wanted something inspirational to read so I thought I would try to write one. But later, after my husband and I lived on the east coast and worked at the United States Military Academy (West Point) for a while and traveling to the Old South, we learned more about the history of the U.S. It was then I wanted to bring out my old manuscript and make it into a well-researched historical romance, not just a flimsy romance about a man and a woman.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

Good question! I don't see much of my own personal experience in the life of my heroine, Amethyst Rose or her situation, but as a pastor's wife, I would have to say my husband and I have dealt in the past with many dysfunctional families who have tried hard to mask the true nature of their characters around others before they have come to know the Lord. In the story I used some of those situations in a way to bring out the nature of Amethyst Rose. Readers may not read the specifics of what happens to her, but it is there nonetheless, written between the lines. Amethyst Rose (Aimee's) unspoken abusive past becomes part of the reason she begins her life so bitter and full of hatred but without anyone to share it with. A lot of healing needs to take place in her life. It is pretty interesting to see who she ends up admiring the most in the story to find her way to the truth!

3. What themes exist in The Flame Within that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The main theme that exists throughout the story was the importance of love, acceptance, and forgiveness working together no matter who you are or from what station you come from. But the golden nugget that developed as the story progressed was compassion.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I think the most difficult parts for me were getting the first five pages down the cleanest, and the ending done in a way that would make my reader want to say, "Ah, now where is the next book! Will there be a sequel?"

My favorite part to write was going back over the manuscript because I wanted to make it better. I could never get it just right. (I am not good at grammar. I know I will improve as I continue to grow as an author.) To me, there is always room for improvement.

I would also like to add what I did NOT like finding was the mistakes that were there and not corrected when the book came out and knowing it was then too late to fix them. I still have so much to learn. But I'm getting there. (It's interesting how they begin to jump out AFTER they are in print.)

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I also write light-hearted nonfiction devotionals. I have a three-book series coming out beginning in 2009. And I am just about ready to finish up another historical fiction manuscript that takes place in the year 1877. This one is about a middle-aged backslidden mother with two illegitimate daughters who is anxious to finally be able to introduce her girls to their military father for the first time out in Kansas...that is, until everything under the sun begins to go wrong before they get there. I'm looking forward to sending that out soon.

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Thank you, Shirley, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Flame Within.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

* * * * *