Lucky Stiff by Deborah Coonts

Book Description:
Lucky O’Toole--Head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, premier mega-resort on the Vegas Strip--thinks it’s just another night in Las Vegas. A tractor-trailer has spilled its load of a million honeybees, blocking not only the Strip but the entrance to her hotel... the District Attorney for Clark County—apparently the odd man out of a threesome on the twelfth floor—is hiding in the buff in one of the hotel’s laundry rooms... and Numbers Neidermeyer--one of Vegas’ less-than-savory oddsmakers--is arguing with Las Vegas’ ace private investigator, the Beautiful Jeremy Whitlock.

The next day, Lucky discovers Ms. Neidermeyer was tossed into the shark tank at the Mandalay Bay Resort as a snack for the Tiger Shark. When the police show up at the Babylon with a hastily prepared search warrant, applied for by the District Attorney himself, and Jeremy lands in the hot seat, Lucky realizes her previous night was far from routine.

Amid the chaos of fight weekend, the hiring of an eccentric new French chef, and her madam mother's intentions to auction off a young woman’s virginity, Lucky is drawn into a deadly game where no one is what they seem, a game that will end only when she discovers who made fish-food out of Numbers Neidermeyer.

Lucky O’Toole and Fabulous Las Vegas—life doesn’t get any better.

My Thoughts:
This was a good sequel. Lucky is back and still working her butt off. Her new love life is wonderful, her new found family great and everything is going better than expected until someone throws Numbers Neidermeyer to where she meets her end! Lucky's friend is a suspect, everyone wanted 'Numbers' dead and to top it off her boyfriend gets a call and goes to California. The new chef at their newest restaurant is being a pain, Lucky's mother is going to auction off a girl's virginity and there is a murderer out there somewhere that she needs to find to clear EVERYONE else!
I loved that all my favorite characters were back. Lucky is running around like a chicken with her head cut off. You feel her pain, frustration, anger, and all her other emotions along with her and it is a great ride. Romeo has more of a role in this one and I've gotta say he is definitely growing on me :) I love the imagery throughout and we meet several new characters like and more of the Vegas 'underworld'. There is just enough twist to make the end 'unguessable' and wonderful.
I rate this a 4/5. It was an entertaining follow up to Wanna Get Lucky? :)

Thank you to FSB for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Ambition by Lee Stobel

Book Description:
A corrupt judge in a mob murder case. A disillusioned pastor, hungry for power. A cynical reporter, sniffing for a scandal. A gambling addict whose secret tape threatens the lives of everyone who hears it. New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel weaves these edgy characters into an intricate thriller set in a gleaming, suburban megachurch, a big-city newspaper struggling for survival, and the shadowy corridors of political intrigue. The unexpected climax is as gripping as the contract killing that punctuates the opening scene.

My Thoughts:
This was a solid Christian Suspense book. Chicago has never looked so corrupt! Eric Snow is the pastor of a major church there and no one is overly happy when he announces he is going into politics. Tom, Garry and Reese are all mixed into the pastor's political ambitions in one way or another. Murder is involved, a corrupt Judge, the mob and an overly ambitious pastor!
The characters are all well developed. You get to know and understand each of them and still want to know more. The authors knowledge of Chicago and all its subtleties is obvious. The plot is fast and a bit twisted and the ending is very fitting without being obvious.
I rate this a 4/5. I am ready to see more from this author.

Thank you to Zondervan for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Guestblog from Author Deborah Coonts

Tips for Writers, Sort Of

By Deborah Coonts,
Author of Lucky Stiff

Let's get this out right up front -- I have an authority issue. Rules and me, we mix about as well as fire and gasoline. So, if someone tells me how to do something, odds are, I'm not going to follow that path. The results are usually either brilliant or disastrous. I am very familiar with the latter, but not so much with the former. But at least I did it my way (yes, I feel a song coming on). After trying many professions (some had no appreciation for independent thinkers, imagine that), I finally landed on writing -- primarily because, as you might have suspected, I am eminently unemployable. Curiously enough, I've discovered that writing is what I should have done all along.
You see, I've always loved stories. But, I wasn't born a writer fully formed. I know you find that hard to believe, but it's the truth -- although I make stuff up for a living, I never lie. Anyway, when I started writing I was as clueless as a politician with a camera phone and a Twitter account. So, I did what everyone else would do -- I just sat in a chair and typed "Chapter One." Then . . . nothing. I had no idea how to tackle something as intimidating as a novel.
So, I baled and hit the Internet. Curiously enough, I found some "rules" for writing a novel. The first one was "write what you know." Well, letsee, I was a single parent, frazzled and over-worked tax lawyer, living in a very conservative and snobbish small city in Colorado. Hmmm, didn't sound like good fodder for a bestseller.
The next rule was "write what you read." I loved romantic suspense. Maybe I could be Sandra Brown -- or at least have her wardrobe? This at least got me scribbling madly. But, alas, I was not Sandra Brown. I wasn't even a marginal romantic suspense writer. Darn.
Okay, next "rule:" Write what you can imagine. Much better. So, I imagined an overworked young woman who was Head of Customer Relations at a large Vegas Strip hotel with a former hooker as a mother, an absent father, and Vegas's foremost Female Impersonator as a best friend. This story I could write! And it became Wanna Get Lucky?, my first published novel.
Along the way, I've developed my own set of "rules" for writing a novel -- truisms all learned the hard way.
RULE ONE: GET DIVORCED, QUIT YOUR JOB, SELL YOUR KIDS

(I warn you, a slightly used teenager will bring nothing on the open market. Ditto the slightly used husband.) Writing is an all-consuming passion, an exacting taskmaster. If you don't understand that last sentence, pick another form of self-flagellation other than writing -- there are many, or so I'm told.
RULE TWO: LEARN THE BASICS

Writing is an art form. Asking someone to teach you how to write is akin to asking Picasso to teach you how to paint. He can teach you the basics of color, composition, media and whatever, but the expression -- the part that makes it art -- is up to you. The same goes for writing. Learn the basics of sentence structure, active voice versus passive, showing not telling, and the particular narrative nuances of your chosen genre, then quit taking lessons. Find your uniqueness and let it flow.
RULE THREE: KILL YOUR EDITOR (no, no, not that one! I'm referring to the INTERNAL one!)

Self-editing as you write will kill your story. The goal of the first draft is to get words on the page -- as many words as you think might be helpful. Trust me, it is MUCH easier to take words out than it is to add more later. I don't know why that is, but it is.
And that voice in your head that says you can't do this, that you can never write a complete novel, much less a good one? Strangle that little SOB right now, BEFORE you begin. You will thank me later. Actually, I prefer donations in lieu of gratitude.
RULE FOUR: NEVER TRUST YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Even if you don't owe them money, your family and friends will all tell you that your novel is wonderful. Don't trust them. Find a group of writers -- published or not, but make sure they know what they are talking about and their motives are pure -- share your pages. You read theirs, they read yours, then you CONSTRUCTIVELY offer and receive unbiased opinions. This can be a goldmine. It can also be a very negative experience, so choose who you listen to wisely.
RULE FIVE: WRITE

Put your butt in the chair, power-up the computer and write -- everyday. I have written on planes, in casinos, at coffee shops in airports, skanky hotels when I was too tired to remember why I was even there, at family gatherings (a great way to keep out of the fray), in the park, at the gym after being defeated by the Stairmaster . . . in short, my daily word count goal is non-negotiable. I don't care what your excuse is, you can find the time. I am the Queen of Procrastination, and if I can find a few hours each day to play with words and imaginary friends, so can you. And, some days my imaginary world is much more fun than the real thing. Bet yours is, too.
RULE SIX: ENJOY
Have fun. Play.
Enough said.
© 2011 Deborah Coonts, author of Lucky Stiff

Author Bio
Deborah Coonts, author of Lucky Stiff, says her mother tells her she was born in Texas a very long time ago, though she's not totally sure -- her mother can't be trusted. But she was definitely raised in Texas on barbeque, Mexican food and beer. She currently resides in Las Vegas, where family and friends tell her she can't get into too much trouble. Silly people. Coonts has built her own business, practiced law, flown airplanes, written a humor column for a national magazine, and survived a teenager. She is the author of the Lucky O'Tool Las Vegas adventure series.

The first book in the series, Wanna Get Lucky?, has been nominated by the Romance Writers of America for the 2011 RITA awards in the categories of Best First Novel and Best Novel with a Strong Romantic Element. Her second book, Lucky Stiff, was published in February 2011.
For more information please visit http://www.deborahcoonts.com/, and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Book Description:
A young woman plunges from a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter, landing in the Pirate’s lagoon in front of the Treasure Island Hotel in the middle of the 8:30 Pirate Show. Almost everyone writes her off as another Vegas victim.
But Lucky O’Toole smells a rat. She’s head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, the newest, most opulent mega-casino and resort on the Strip, so she’s got a lot on her plate: the Adult Film industry’s annual awards banquet, a spouse-swapping convention, sex toy purveyors preying on the pocket-protector crowd attending ElectroniCon…. Still, Lucky can’t resist turning over a few stones.
When a former flame is one of the snakes she uncovers, Lucky’s certain she’s no longer dealing with an anonymous Sin City suicide. To top it all off, Lucky’s best friend Teddie—Las Vegas’ finest female impersonator—presses to take their relationship to the next level. Leave it to Lucky to attract a man who looks better in a dress than she does.
Lucky must manage the Babylon’s onslaught of outrageous festivities, solve a murder, and struggle to keep her life and libido from spinning out of control… not to mention keep her balance in six inch heels.

My Thoughts:
This book was highly entertaining. Lucky's life gets even more complicated when a young woman falls out of her casino's helicopter to her death. Now it is her job to keep the Big Boss in the loop, figure out who or how the woman died and keep the rest of the casino running smooth. Oh, also along the way, she has to deal with her sex life or lack thereof, a best friend, porn star and a highly attractive new security member...
Lucky is a colorful character. She seems almost unshakable in her work life. Teddie is a colorful character that I adore. Dean played his part perfectly. Mona and the Big Boss are great support characters with interesting and colorful pasts. Romeo is a great addition. The storyline is entertaining with several twists and turns!
I rate this a 4/5. It was entertaining with just enough mystery :)

Thank you to FSB for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Interview with John 3:16 Author Tracy Krauss!!

Good morning all! Please help me in welcoming author of My Mother The Man Eater, Tracy Krauss!

Questions:
AW: What genre do you write and why?

I write Romantic Suspense. I love a good twist with lots of surprises, and who doesn’t like a little romance? I would say, my work is heavier on the suspense and lighter on the romance, despite the titles. 

AW: Tell us about your book….

I’m currently promoting MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER. It’s a crazy, mad-cap, roller coaster ride as we follow Joleen Allen, a forty four year old cougar on the rampage. The fact that she juggles several men at once is complicated enough, but when her ex-con husband, a former mafia man and drug dealer, returns home looking for revenge, her life gets scary – fast. Add to that five grown daughters, all with personal issues, who begin attracting the attention of Joleen’s male friends, and it’s a mixed up dysfunctional mess. I loved writing this book. I had so much fun, and yet there is a lot of really gritty and unpleasant stuff, too.

AW: What was your inspiration for this book?

I was playing the Sims. Seriously. I’d made all these cool characters and then I realized a story was forming. I had to quit playing and start writing!

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?

Not really. As a playwright, I love characterization. It’s what I do when I write or direct for the theatre, so I invest a lot in my characters for my books, too. I love them all. Even the creepy ones.

AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?

I had to pare it way down. It’s still a really substantial book at 555 pages, but believe it or not, I got rid of another whole sub-plot. I suppose I could have divided it into a series, but I didn’t want to. I guess in this case I just had too much to say!

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

My third novel PLAY IT AGAIN is currently in production. It is the prequel to my first book AND THE BEAT GOES ON, which can be loosely called an archeological thriller. I am also polishing up a manuscript for pitching called WIND OVER MARSDHDALE, a book about a Cree man who has to deal with dark spiritual forces in a seemingly quiet prairie town.

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?

Stick with it. Publication doesn’t come easy, and promoting your work once it’s out there is even harder.

AW: Where can we find you?

Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com/
Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TracyKrausswrtr

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your books?

They are available at all the usual places – Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Or if you go to my website, I have links to other sources, as well as the publisher. My direct link to Amazon is: http://www.kraussamazon.com/

Author bio: Tracy Krauss
Tracy Krauss is an author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Published works include her debut novel AND THE BEAT GOES ON, a romantic suspense with an archeological and creationist twist, and MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, a contemporary romantic suspense. Tracy is also a published playwright and has several other works in progress.

Back cover – MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER
What’s a girl to do? Joleen Allen is on the hunt. For a man, that is. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets a prospect, he falls for one of her daughters instead!
Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Harold, is back in the picture after a stint in prison, and he’s looking for revenge. He’ll do anything to see Joleen’s reputation and her relationship with their children ruined. Harold has devised an elaborate plan to slander Joleen and ruin her financially, and will stop at nothing – even murder – to see it through.
At forty-four, Joleen has seen a thing or two. She became a mother at sixteen, and her five highly independent children are now grown. Jasmine is a successful ad executive, but has a drinking problem. Jill is a tough cop, while middle child Jennifer surprises them all with her tenacity. Jinger is a self-centered glamour girl, and the baby of the family, Jade, is utterly spoiled.
All the interesting men they meet get tossed around by this pack of barracudas. Adding to the mix are some drug deals, a kidnapping, insurance fraud, and secrets from the past, making life very complicated, indeed.
With grit, humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man-Eater is a redemptive story about a woman whose search for meaning in life sends her straight into . . . the arms of God.

Executive Intent by Dale Brown

“Executive Intent” by Dale Brown:

New President, Joseph Gardner, knows the way he wants to strengthen and maintain America’s dominant presence in the world. It takes an increase in aircraft carriers. This leaves the budget too tight to pursue any space weapons systems and some countries are noticing America’s vulnerabilities.

When two power hungry counties, China and Russia, join forces against the US after an incident, much quick decision making has to be done. The fundamental differences in the President and the Vice President’s beliefs are shown and tough decisions made. His female secretary of state has an agenda all her own and it may or may not be in the country’s best interest.

The standoff between the US forces and Chinese and Russian forces are tense and strategic. Space is seemingly up for grabs to the country with the most power. The President has to fight a political battle as well as making the tough calls in the battle between the US, Russia, and China.

Loaded with technology and politics…lots of cool gadgets and some good action! This book pulls you along through the story for an intense ride.


Reviewed by Ashley Wintters for Suspense Magazine

The Bone Thief by Jefferson Bass

'The Bone Thief' by Jefferson Bass:

Dr. Bill Brockton runs the ‘Body Farm’ where donated bodies are laid out in plots, carefully kept track of by his assistant and studied for different affects on decomposition. Burt DeVriess, ‘Grease’, a defense attorney calls Dr. Brockton to examine a body that is being exhumed for a paternity case. The only problem is, when the body is exhumed, it is obviously missing some pieces!

Black market body parts are a big business. At least that is what the FBI is using to convince Dr. Brockton to go undercover to help them find who is buying and selling these body parts. After opening several other graves, the signs point to a funeral home and Brockton reluctantly agrees to be a part of the sting.

All the while, Dr. Brockton is trying to reconcile with a former flame who isn’t at all what she appears and, may have a bigger hold on him than Brockton ever imagined! He is also faced with several ethical decisions one of which could jeopardize a man’s life and could be losing a valuable asset in his assistant.

This is a thrilling addition to the Body Farm series. Once you start it, you won’t put it down!


--Reviewed by Ashley Wintters for Suspense Magazine

Justice by Karen Robards

Book Description:
Feisty criminal attorney Jessica Ford has done her best to comply with the orders of the Secret Service’s unofficial witness protection program ever since she became the lone witness to the First Lady’s murder. Unfortunately, winning her first high-profile case for a prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm, subsequently landing her face all over the news, is not exactly “keeping a low profile.” Or so says hunky Secret Service agent Mark Ryan, whose newest assignment is keeping her safe at all costs. It just so happens he’s also her ex-boyfriend.

The trial earns Jess a permanent spot on the firm’s legal defense team, replacing an associate who eloped and never came back. But Jess’s mind has raced from the moment the prosecution’s star witness shocked the courtroom with a revelation involving the handsome son of a powerful U.S. senator. Was the pretty young mother intimidated into changing her story on the stand? Why won’t she return Jess’s calls? Did Jess’s predecessor really just abandon her successful career? Or did both women mysteriously disappear?

After Mark rescues Jess from an attack outside her apartment, she begins to consider the possibility that she is a target. Maybe it’s not so bad to have her irresistibly charming and hard-bodied former lover around for protection. The question is, which of the many inadvertent enemies Jess has made recently is he protecting her from? The investigation leads her to some startling coincidences — and to a teenage runaway who may just hold the missing link...if Jess can find her.

My Thoughts:

This was a good, twisting read! Jess is supposed to be keeping a low profile because as the only witness to a major murder, she doesn't need the media attention. The problem is with her first big win at a new firm, she is photographed along with the whole defense team. This media attention brings Mark back into her life. Mark is her ex boyfriend and also the secret service agent who has been assigned to protect her. Questions start piling up like why did the victim recant on the stand? Was she forced? Where did the attorney that Jess replaced really disappear to? And last, why is someone now targeting Jess?

I thought the first chapter was perfect! It set the stage for the entire book so well. Jess is such a strong character but she does have her vulnerabilities...such as Mark. Mark is determined to keep Jess safe from whoever is trying to kill her but the distraction she presents is amusing to 'watch'. There are plenty of plot twists and surprises to keep you turning the pages all night!

I rate this a 4/5. I really liked it but be warned it isn't a 'clean' read by any stretch of the imagination.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Forever Historical Blog Tour Review & Giveaway!!!!

Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn:
Desire knows no bounds... — A LOVER'S PROMISE — Connor Grant left his first love in the Highlands, vowing to return after serving in the king's army. Seven years later, he is still fighting for the crown, and his victories are legendary -- both in the battlefield and in the bedroom. Yet he's never forgotten his bonnie lass. And he certainly never expected to see her amidst the splendor of the British royal court: beautiful, breathtaking, and tempting him past the point of no return.
A LADY'S DESTINY
The night he left, Mairi MacGregor banished Connor from her life forever. Now her heart belongs only to Scotland. As part of a secret alliance, she journeys to London in search of information... only to find herself face to face with the one man she swore she'd never trust again. Though Mairi's body still craves Connor's touch, she can't forgive his betrayal. But a traitor lurks in their midst and to protect her beloved Highlands, Mairi must make a leap of faith and join forces with Connor -- even if it means losing her heart to him again.

My Thoughts:
I adored this book. Years ago, Connor left Mairi to fulfill his duty and serve the king. Brokenhearted, she took up some questionable (to him) pursuits. Mairi has tried to cut him out of her life, her thoughts and her heart but being in the same place with him after seven long years of separation has weakened her resolve. She realizes she is more in love with him than ever, but he CHOSE duty over her so she knows she can never trust him again....or can she?
I loved how the characters 'danced' around each other through the whole book. It was a good one step forward, two steps back relationship. Connor is a strong, powerful man but with Mairi throwing his 'competition' in his face, he has to question the desire he sees burning in her eyes. Mairi is best friends with Connor's mother so that is a wonderful character relationship and the characters in this book are wonderfully developed. I enjoyed the underlying plot of Kings as well!
I rate this a 5/5. A good, fun read.

Lady of Seduction by Laurel McKee
It's a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn't expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.

Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. Caroline is determined to get to Grant Dunmore, even if it means nearly drowning herself to do it! Her husband is dead and in her latest pursuit, she needs something Grant has. At least she believes that is the reason she runs to her former captor. After she gets there and Grant has her in his arms, she starts to wonder.
I liked Caroline. She was strong, determined and stubborn...a wonderful combination. Grant was haunted by his past and trying to make up for it in the here and now. The author did a wonderful job with her characters, each one of them were written splendidly! The story line with the subplots kept me interested throughout.
I rate this a 4/5. A good 'by the fire' read.


Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder:
The second book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan doesn't take over their glen and cause destruction. At the same time, three women will plot to marry these heroes to help insure peace.

In TEMPTATION OF A HIGHLAND SCOUNDREL, Kendrew Macintosh's reputation precedes him: he wields an ax with deathly precision, strikes fear into his enemies, and lusts after beautiful women. But Kendrew has never met someone whose passion rivals his own-until an unexpected encounter with a mysterious woman. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that the vixen is Isobel Cameron, daughter of an enemy clansman. Their relationship is forbidden and Kendrew breaks away immediately. Isobel has her own scheme. She has lusted after Kendrew for some time and plans to draw the fierce warrior back into her arms. But in the darkness, villainous forces are at play--an enemy is determined to keep the two lovers apart, even if it means death.

My Thoughts:
This was a good book. After the King's decree of a fight to the death, three women make a pact to save their clans from being demolished. Since it has already worked out well for her friend & brother, Isobel is determined her choice will be next. She has chosen the warrior Kendrew. Isobel knows the match will help keep the peace between the clans but also has a personal interest in seeing her match made...she is completely infatuated with him and determined no matter who or what is trying to stop her!
Kendrew isn't the typical highland hero. He is a rogue and determined things will be his way or not at all. Isobel is just as determined as he is and with the pact she and her two friends made, she has a worth cause too ;). I can't wait to read the third in this trilogy!!
I rate this one a 4/5. It was an intense read!

Thank you to Hachette for the review copies of these books. I received these book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.







Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hachette, I have 3 copies of this book to giveawyay! Here are the rules:

• You must be a follower to participate
• Leave Me a Comment on THIS post with your e-mail (no e-mail you can't win)
• US & Canadian Residents only
• No PO Boxes
• Hachette Book Group will be sending the copies to the winners
• You have 24 hours to respond if you are contacted as a winner, if you miss the deadline, a new winner will be chosen and contacted.
• Contest is open until August 15, 2011
• Winners will be chosen using a randomizer
• Directly from Hachette: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail.

Blogfest Giveaway Winners!!

I thought everyone would like to know who won the big giveaways during blogfest.
Joanna won Option 1 & Jennifer Mathis won Option 2. Both winners have been contacted and the prizes now mailed. Just wanted to say congratulations ladies!


Option 1:
List Randomizer
There were 88 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
1. 76. Joanna
2. 1. Kah_cherub
3. 13. Laurie
4. 11. Patti
5. 35. Jodie Riverina Romantics
6. 22. Margay
7. 37. holdenj
8. 52. Stephanie O.
9. 55. Lexi
10. 73. Kasumi
11. 23. ann
12. 19. Rad Hall
13. 38. buddyt
14. 25. Brooke
15. 32. Jennifer Mathis
16. 53. stephjx
17. 60. jessica
18. 8. BLHmistress
19. 14. Martha Lawson
20. 63. krystal-larson
21. 67. Stella (Ex Libris)
22. 71. rhonda
23. 68. Darlene
24. 64. Sherry
25. 2. Ash
26. 44. womeneverywhere
27. 56. inga
28. 3. dollycas aka Lori
29. 16. skyla11377
30. 50. Judy
31. 28. Dee ShamelessRom
32. 27. Alison
33. 20. Erin @ CanadianGiveaways
34. 79. Alyssa (Reader's Refuge)
35. 70. chelseacarson1
36. 62. doreenriopel
37. 72. Glory
38. 41. Chelle
39. 36. miki
40. 46. Chielle
41. 7. Dana West
42. 5. Book Bound Musings
43. 65. winnie
44. 34. Becca
45. 85. Cialina at Muggle-Born.net
46. 69. js22
47. 84. Pam S
48. 12. Sassy
49. 47. daniellewarp
50. 31. hedgerhousehold
51. 51. Lora1967
52. 24. Michele
53. 75. Linda Henderson
54. 58. krysykat
55. 74. Mflick1
56. 82. BrittanyGale
57. 43. Jenn of Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger
58. 49. Holly
59. 42. Carol L.
60. 59. bettycd
61. 77. Alyssa (Hesperia Loves Books)
62. 87. Nancye
63. 29. Book Savvy Babe
64. 10. Alexa
65. 45. books4me
66. 17. polly
67. 39. Amy
68. 48. debbie
69. 78. Novels On The Run
70. 81. Laura Morales
71. 9. Leanne109
72. 6. Julie
73. 26. Robin Blankenship
74. 30. Sharon
75. 18. Jeanne
76. 21. Ellen Elizabeth
77. 80. vhubler
78. 40. iOaNa...
79. 86. Mary
80. 66. Alison Miller
81. 4. acm05
82. 15. cjabdelnour
83. 61. mariexd
84. 33. Lissyta
85. 54. AsianCocoa
86. 88. geschumann
87. 57. Spav
88. 83. Chantel
Timestamp: 2011-07-18 19:51:15 UTC

Option 2:

List Randomizer
There were 67 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
1. 25. Jennifer Mathis
2. 52. Baba
3. 55. Alyssa (Hesperia Loves Books)
4. 67. Nancye
5. 30. Amy
6. 62. BrittanyGale
7. 19. Kay Dee Royal
8. 21. Alison
9. 14. Erin @ CanadianGiveaways
10. 23. Sharon
11. 60. vhubler
12. 34. scottsgal
13. 36. Judy
14. 4. Julie
15. 58. Janelle
16. 12. Rad Hall
17. 24. hedgerhousehold
18. 9. polly
19. 64. Pam S
20. 56. Novels On The Run
21. 51. chelseacarson1
22. 5. Linda Kish
23. 1. Kah_cherub
24. 28. holdenj
25. 39. inga
26. 32. womeneverywhere
27. 37. Lora1967
28. 10. Jeanne
29. 40. Spav
30. 29. buddyt
31. 41. Jasmine1485
32. 31. AEKZ2
33. 3. acm05
34. 7. Laurie
35. 46. paulinemilner
36. 18. Brooke
37. 15. Ellen Elizabeth
38. 13. nicolesender
39. 61. Laura Morales
40. 48. Stella (Ex Libris)
41. 59. Alyssa (Reader's Refuge)
42. 22. Book Savvy Babe
43. 6. Leanne109
44. 33. books4me
45. 50. js22
46. 65. Cialina at Muggle-Born.net
47. 66. Mary
48. 8. cjabdelnour
49. 45. Sherry
50. 53. Linda Henderson
51. 54. Joanna
52. 49. Darlene
53. 27. miki
54. 42. bettycd
55. 38. AsianCocoa
56. 47. winnie
57. 17. Michele
58. 26. Becca
59. 11. okibi-insanity
60. 35. debbie
61. 63. melora
62. 43. doreenriopel
63. 16. ann
64. 57. Book Sake
65. 20. Robin Blankenship
66. 2. dollycas aka Lori
67. 44. Dinda_SI
Timestamp: 2011-07-18 20:17:55 UTC

Changeling Dream by Dani Harper

Book Description:
In times of stress Jillian Descharme has always found calm in her dream of a great white wolf with haunting blue eyes. But she is startled when the visions return and this time seem so real. Late at night he comes to her, speaks to her, touches her. It's almost as if he's alive...
Thirty years ago James Macleod lost his wife and unborn child to a killer bent on destroying the Changelings. Though he longed for death, his animal instinct fought for survival and James has been a wolf ever since. Yet now a woman has reawakened the man in him, taming wild instincts but arousing still wilder needs. With his ancient enemy hunting the legendary white wolf, James must fight for new life, new hope, new love.

My Thoughts:
This is a wonderful follow up to Changeling Moon! James Macleod is a wolf, or maybe part man....he isn't certain. After 30 years of running as a wolf, being a human seems like a foreign concept he would rather not contemplate. Jillian is a young vet who has come to help James' brother Collin in the clinic but maybe she will do more than that for the Macleod family. Since his wife and unborn child were murdered, James has wanted nothing to do with the human world but confusing memories of Jillian make him want to learn more.
Once again, an amazingly HOT lead male character in James. This author knows how to describe men :) Jillian is a strong, courageous female lead. After all she has been through, she has still pushed forward and not let it stop her from living life. She may still have her issues but she is dealing with them. The characters from Changeling Moon, especially Berkie, are brought back in this book and I'm now impatiently waiting for the next in the series!
I rate this a 5/5. I have found a new favorite author.

Thank you to FSB for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Author Sidney Frost Interview!

Good morning all! Please help me welcome author, Sidney Frost author of Where Love Once Lived.

AW: Tell me about yourself…

SWF: I am retired and living in Sun City, Texas, doing what I always wanted to do and never had time. I'm talking about WRITING. I raised three children and always worked fulltime and, for the past thirty years I had a second job of teaching part time at the local community college.

Well, maybe I couldn't find time to write because I didn't just work. I was active in church, especially the choir. In later years, I was a Stephen Leader and Stephen Minister. I also sang in community choirs. The longest running one was in the Austin Lyric Opera Chorus where I was in forty-two performances. I spent so much time in rehearsal during those fifteen years I still dream about it.

I did manage to write several non-fiction books. Two were self-published, but one was with a traditional publisher. However, it was a computer book and sadly out of date.

When I first started writing a novel in earnest, I took online classes to learn how. I was fortunate to get a wonderful instructor, author Bonnie Hearn Hill, and she continues to help me today.

AW: What genera do you write and why?

SWF: I write religious fiction, also called Christian fiction, or inspirational fiction. My first book, Where Love Once Lived, is almost a romance. It has male and female protagonists and the story goal is to get them together. It's not quite a romance because of the subplots having to do with interracial marriage, finding God, as well as several strong supporting characters.

My second book fits more into the mystery/thriller subgenre, but it, too, is inspirational.

AW: Tell us about your latest book….

SWF: As I mentioned, Where Love Once Lived is almost a romance. Brian and Karen breakup in college at a time when she thinks he is about to propose, and he leaves the state without telling her why. The crisis causes him to give up God entirely and causes her to move closer to God. The book opens thirty years later. They are both divorced. They both have daughters. Brian wants to win back the one person he ever loved. She doesn't want to have anything to do with him. The rest of the book is about what happened to cause the breakup and how they both must change for a loving relationship.

And, as I also said, there are some interesting subplots along the way.

AW: What was your inspiration for this book?

SWF: When I was in college back in the 1960s, I drove a bookmobile part time. I met an interesting librarian and made notes about a novel based on the experience. However, when I started writing, the Brian/Karen story grew out of the bookmobile idea and overpowered the librarian.

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?

SWF: The librarian's name is Liz and she is my favorite. Everyone seems to like her and she is in my second book as well, still a supporting character, however. But, I also like George McCullough, the seventy-eight year old black father of Brian's best friend Phil. George and Liz together help Brian find the right path, but George, in particular, says some things I've been known to say.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

SWF: The Vengeance Squad is may second book, and all that remains are some minor tasks. The text and the cover are done, and the interior is formatted. Our own John 3:16 Network Group member, Delia Latham, designed the cover and it is outstanding. All I need to do now is finish writing the dedication, acknowledgements, etc. I'm adding an author interview and discussion questions since the book is short (72,000 words).

In addition to getting book two published, I am writing book three. I'm calling it Do Unto Others for now. It is a continuation of Where Love Once Lived.

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?

SWF: The one thing I missed in all my studies was that it is important to learn what publishers are looking for before you start writing. I don't mean story subjects because that can change. I mean genre and length, that type of thing. I guess if you did write the Great American Novel, you would find a publisher for it. However, it is much easier to sell a book publishers want.

AW: Where can we find you? (facebook, twitter, blog, website, etc)

SWF: I'd love to hear from you and will answer all comments on this blog.

Website: http://sidneywfrost.com
Blog: http://christianbookmobile.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sidneywfrost
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sidney-W-Frost/131589900213725?sk=wall

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your book? (your website, publisher, amazon, etc)
SWF: The print edition of Where Love Once Lived is available on most all online bookstores. In particular, you can go to https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sidney-W-Frost/131589900213725?sk=wall to order it from Amazon.com.

The Kindle edition is available at Amazon as well. For other ebook formats, go to lulu.com, and iTunes for the iPad edition.

Thank you, Ashley, for this time to talk about my writing experience and my books.

Thank you Sid and I wish you the best of luck! :)

Blogfest 2011!!! Huge Giveaway :)

Welcome to my spot on the 2011 Blogfest hop & giveaway. :) Please leave your name, email and which option you would like (or if you want put in the drawing for both). I will randomize the lists on Monday and announce the winners. Blogfest lasts from 7/15 to 7/17 so enter now and check out the links at the bottom to hop to the next 5 blogs on the list and see their wonderful giveaways!

Option 1:

All of these are ARCs: Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt, Going Cowboy Crazy by Katie Lane, Make Mine a Bad Boy by Katie Lane & How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries.

Option 2:

All of these are also ARCs so the covers will likely be different but here they are: Death Amid Gems by Meagan J. Meehan, Vienna Twilight by Frank Tallis, Begging for Trouble by Judi McCoy, and Bit Player by Janet Dawson.

10 Ashlynn's Blog

11 AsianCocoa's Secret Garden

12 Authors By Authors

13 Baba's Farm Life

14 Becks Book Picks

also check out these links for more info and more chances to win!
http://www.ajourneyofbooks.com
http://blogfest.ajourneyofbooks.com

How to Seduce a Scoundrel Giveaway!!!

Book Description:
Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret tendre-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz. But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does what any self-respecting, recently discarded young miss with a wicked sense of humor would do. She secretly pens a lady's guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the hottest scandal sheet in London.

Every honorable rake knows that friends' sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julienne has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can't resist. Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of kissing her senseless. He's always avoided innocents and their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely to wed finally met his match?


Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hachette, I have 3 copies of this book to giveawyay! Here are the rules:

• You must be a follower to participate
• Leave Me a Comment on THIS post with your e-mail (no e-mail you can't win)
• US & Canadian Residents only
• No PO Boxes
• Hachette Book Group will be sending the copies to the winners
• You have 24 hours to respond if you are contacted as a winner, if you miss the deadline, a new winner will be chosen and contacted.
• Contest is open until August 5, 2011
• Winners will be chosen using a randomizer
• Directly from Hachette: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail.

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

Book Description:
Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret tendre-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz. But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does what any self-respecting, recently discarded young miss with a wicked sense of humor would do. She secretly pens a lady's guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the hottest scandal sheet in London.

Every honorable rake knows that friends' sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julienne has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can't resist. Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of kissing her senseless. He's always avoided innocents and their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely to wed finally met his match?

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book! Julienne is humiliated when Hawk, her guardian and brother's best friend, announces to the ton that she is nothing more than a sister to him...of course this is after he's made a scene with her on the dance floor. After that, she enlists the help of her two best friends and Hawk's aunt to write a pamphlet on how to seduce a man into marriage but she had no idea the effects this would have on EVERYONE she knew!
Julienne is a character that develops and grows through the whole book. She has an idealistic thought process in the beginning but throughout she grows and matures to a realistic thinker. Hawk is condemned by his past, at least in his opinion and is only being a rake because that is what is and has always been expected of him. His aunt was my favorite character, she is brazen and speaks her mind. Great characters and a good story line....I love happy endings!
I rate this a 4/5. I enjoyed it and plan to look for more from this author.

Thank you to Hachette for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Easter's Lilly by Judy Serrano

Book Description:
It was Easter Sunday; the day Lilly's life went from safe and comfortable to dangerously unfamiliar. Her transformation takes her from a small town girl having an affair with a low ranked gangster in the Montiago crime syndicate, to a woman of grace and fortitude married to the head of the organization. Easter's Lilly is an inspired journey from the idyllic to the darker side of self-discovery. Read as the over-privileged brothers embark on their journey that twists and turns down the road of unbridled passion in this first book of the series.

My Thoughts:
I was completely captivated by this book. Lilly is a young, naive girl who gets mixed up with some people she shouldn't. Johnny is a drug dealer and womanizer, but when he disappears, her life gets infinitely more complicated. She is quickly married by Diago, one of the top men in the Montiago drug ring and has complicated relationships with all four brothers in the family. Three of them love her, in their own way, one brother is her anchor, while another her husband and another her protector....while the last wants her dead !
Honestly, reading the first couple chapters I didn't know how I was going to feel about this book, I wasn't overly thrilled with one of what I thought was going to be a main character. Of course, he was a guy you weren't supposed to like so I was feeling what the author wanted me to feel toward him! Lilly is a completely naive and lovable character. The author paints a vivid portrait of what could easily happen to someone who is in that 'world'. It world full of violence and drama that could easily confuse and hurt you . The four brothers are wonderfully developed characters. I absolutely adore the little boy!
I rate this a 5/5. I completely enjoyed it and plan to start reading the second in this series ASAP. I will caution everyone that this isn't a 'clean' read, there is rape, drugs, violence and sex in it, but the author does a wonderful job of making it all just flow.

John 3:16 Book Tour Author Bernard Boulton!

Good morning all! Please help me welcome the wonderful author of Do You Wanna Be Made Whole, Pastor Bernard Boulton!

AW: Tell me about yourself…

BB: I’m a native of Cleveland Ohio. I’m been preaching since the age of seventeen. I started pastoring in 1993 in Beckley West Virginia. From there I went to a church in Danville Va an stayed there for five years and eight months before moving to Austin Texas to pastor. I returned to Danville Va to pastor he same church that I pastored in the 90’s. I have been married for almost twenty years. Me and my wife Vantoria wedding anniversary is July 13. We have one son Bernard Quincy.

AW: What genera do you write and why?

BB: I write Christian Fiction and Non fiction inspirational. I love writing fiction because I love a story and I love the ability to produce stories from my imagination.

AW: Tell us about your latest book….

BB: My book is titled DO YOU WANNA BE MADE WHOLE? It is a story about a pastor, James Maxell who helps three men who are dealing with real life problems. It is a story that deals with the themes of friendship, mentorship and starting over after you’ve been broken.

AW: What was your inspiration for this book?

BB: I was inspired to write a story about men and how men deal with life. I wanted to do something different in the genre because most of the fiction that I’ve read it written by women about women.


AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?

BB: It took me such a long time to pen this book that I can’t remember if there was something difficult about writing this story.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

BB: I’m currently writing the sequel to DO YOU WANNA BE MADE WHOLE? It is named REST IN A WEARY LAND.

AW: Do you have any advice for writers out there?

BB: Keep God first. Be persistent in writing. Find a mentor.

AW: Where can we find you? (facebook, twitter, blog, website, etc)

BB: My website is WWW.BERNARDBOULTON.COM. I’m at Face Book WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BERNARD.BOULTON. At twitter HTTP://twitter.com/idealwriter.

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview, Bernard & I wish you all the success in reaching people out there!

The Reboot Files: The Mystery of Hurtleberry House

Book Description
Most people would be excited to be hosting their own TV show. However, most people do not work for Reboot, a television station better known for employing the rejects of the “legitimate media” than the quality of its programming.
Such is the fate of Irene Waters, a once promising Christian reporter struggling to recover from a counterfeit scandal that ruined her career and left her questioning her trust in God.
As her employment options are limited, she finds herself assigned to a cheesy paranormal investigation show called “Irene's Eerie Adventures”. She and her cameraman, the talented but reckless Troy Stenson, are quickly dispatched to their first assignment, a rumored haunted house. At first glance their subject, Hurtleberry House, does not look promising even for the less than ambitious goal of “Good Television”. Putting aside the nonsensical name, the house is undergoing major renovations making filming itself a challenge. Even worse, the residents are cliché and the ghost is camera shy.
Fortunately for the Reboot team, all is not as it first appears as circumstances soon take a turn for the weird if not the supernatural. For Irene soon discovers that everything they thought they knew about the house and its ghost has been brought into question with the apparent goal of tricking a low budget TV show into coming out to film. But why and who is behind it? The flamboyant owner who appears to be a true believer in the family ghost? Her sensible sister with the grating personality who seems determined to protect her flamboyant sibling? The helpful but cranky elderly caretaker who could have ulterior motives? Or the handsome, but oddly redundant handyman who appears to have few skills and no apparent part in the renovations?
Irene will have to draw upon her until now unknown deductive skills and renewed faith in God to solve the real mystery of Hurtleberry House. A goal somewhat hampered by her efforts to curtail, with varying degrees of success, the enthusiasm of her cameraman to exploit the sensational. Whether it actually exists or not.

My Thoughts:
I completely enjoyed this book. Irene has had some trouble in her past career. She was a Christian reporter that no one believed and now is working for a 'paranormal' show on Reboot, trying to prove/disprove ghost. Her current assignment is Hurtleberry House. Partner and cameraman Troy is one of the first to actually ask her what happened instead of assuming the worst and is quickly gaining her respect. The old house is odd but doesn't quite ring true as a haunted house....that is until they learn of something sinister going on under its roof!
I love Irene! She is a quirky character with a propensity for long words and a shaken faith in God. Still, she is a strong believer and stands true in her beliefs. Troy is not a believer but I love his character too. He has his own way of thinking things through. The two sisters were interesting and entertaining, but my favorite character was the grounds keeper Bob. He was just perfectly written!
I rate this a 5/5. I can't wait to read the rest in this series :)

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Changeling Moon by Dani Harper

Book Description:

He roams the moonlit wilderness, his every sense and instinct on high alert. Changeling wolf Connor Macleod and his Pack have never feared anything -- until the night human Zoey Tyler barely escapes a rogue werewolf's vicious attack.
As the full moon approaches, Zoey has no idea of the changes that are coming, and only Connor can show her what she is, and help her master the wildness inside. With her initiation into the Pack just days away and a terrifying predator on the loose, the tentative bonds of trust and tenderness are their only weapons against a force red in tooth, claw . . . and ultimate evil.

My Thoughts:

I completely enjoyed this book! Zoey is new in town, she works for the newspaper and has just covered a town meeting when her life changes forever. Connor is on his way home after a long day working on animals, he's the town vet, when he has a flash of a woman being attacked by a wolf. As Connor races to her rescue Zoey is fighting for her life. She is bitten by what she sees as a wolf and what Connor recognizes as a Changeling...

I think I fell in love with every character in this book. Zoey is so strong and yet she is vulnerable. That is where Connor comes in. He is strong, steadfast and has now found his mate. The other characters, Connor's brothers, Jesse, and the whole town are wonderfully written and described. There is plenty of weirdness, action and romance that if you like any of them, you will enjoy this book.

I rate this a 5/5. It is on my keeper shelf and I'm fixing to read the next in the series!

Thank you to FSB for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Freedom's Stand by J.M. Windle

Book Description
Jamil renounced a life of jihad when he encountered the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, but villagers and authorities in the hills of Afghanistan respond with skepticism . . . and even violence.
Relief worker Amy Mallory is shocked by the changes in her organization—changes with dire implications for the women and children under her care. And concern for her former assistant, Jamil, weighs heavily on her heart.
Former Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson faces off against the riots and corruption of Kabul’s upcoming election. He's looking for something that will give his life purpose but is confident that he won’t find it in Afghanistan.
All three are searching for love and freedom in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant. But when religious freedom becomes a matter of life and death, they discover that the cost of following Jesus may require the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts:

This was a really good book. It was a lot heavier than I'd anticipated but it is a book that calls to you and requires you to look at your beliefs and it is very realistic. All three of the 'main' characters, Amy, Jamil and Steve believe in Jesus and that has caused them some serious conflict. Amy is an American relief worker, Steve is a former soldier turned private security and Jamil is a former jihad member who wants to heal his country. Jamil is hired by Amy to be her driver and as the story is slowly unveiled, the lives of all the characters entwine.

I have to say, the character that stood out the most to me was Soraya, and I can't really say why without giving a lot away but she wasn't my favorite in the least, just the one that stood out the most. I like how the author takes us on a journey through Afghanistan and shows how things really are. This book isn't easy to read, nor are the descriptions because the author doesn't hold much back but shows us how truly blessed we are to live in America where we take our freedoms for granted!

I rate this a 4/5. It is good but it will definitely make you think!

Thank you to Tyndale for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Interview With Author Eddie Snipes

Good morning all! I'd love for you to help me in welcoming Author of I Called Him Dancer, Eddie Snipes :)

AW: Hi Eddi! Please tell us a bit about yourself so we can get to know you...

GES: I’ve been actively writing for about 15 years. Somehow I went from hating writing to loving it. I can remember sitting in class, staring at a blank piece of paper and saying, “I can’t think of anything.” I didn’t have writer’s block. I had writer’s blockhead.
Here’s a little story that gives an insight into my writing habits.
I wrote my first *ahem* fictional story in high school. This might seem a bit off topic, but it will give you an idea of my ‘love’ for writing. I don’t remember the name of the class, but it was a required writing class for graduation. Half the grade was a research paper. I picked to write about the arms race between the US and Russia since the Cold War was still a hot topic in the American culture in the early 80s. Halfway through the class, we had to turn in our research note cards. The class had spent weeks in the library, supposedly researching. When the teacher reviewed them, she handed them back and said, “If you don’t have at least 70 research cards, you will not succeed in this assignment. I began counting my cards, wondering why she was looking at me as she made this statement. I ran out of cards – seven. I had seven notecards to show for weeks of research. Her note written on the top of the stack said something like, “You don’t have a prayer.”
The assignment must have *slipped* my mind, but the teacher jogged my memory a few weeks later when she said, “Don’t forget, your rough drafts are due tomorrow. Minimum 30 pages.”
I assessed the situation and came to the conclusion that now was the time to start getting serious. I studied the seven cards – which didn’t take long since there wasn’t any significant information on them. All combined, it may have equaled a paragraph. That is, providing fragments could serve as sentences. I took my paper and a pen and decided the best first step was to interview an arms race expert – me. I mean Colonial Smith. Thirty pages later I had a complete analysis of the US / Russian arms race, including expert opinions, statistics, and a game plan for addressing the problem. In other words, I had just written my first fictional story. I should have known then that something in my brain was wired for writing.
BTW, I scored my best grade ever in the subject of English. My teacher was proud that I had finally gotten my act together and took care of business. Let’s just keep this secret between you and I. We don’t want to dash her ego.
Many years later, I became involved in a prison ministry. These guys were hungry for truth, and I realized they needed more than a 30 minute service. I started writing my messages, printing it, and giving it to prisoners for study. About thirty-thousand pages later I finally realized that I kind of enjoy this writing stuff.

AW: Haha! It took you thirty-thousand pages to discover you liked writing!?! What genera do you write and why?

GES: I write Inspirational fiction and Bible related non-fiction. I like to use both fiction and non-fiction to communicate truth to an audience. Jesus used parables to reach the masses, and then deeper studies of truth to those who responded. Both are valid ways to communicate the love of God to people.
AW: Please tell us a bit about I Called Him Dancer...

GES: I Called Him Dancer is a story about a neglected child who falls in love with performing. He makes it his life’s goal to become a Broadway performer. Through many hardships, he achieves his goal briefly, but a drug addiction overtakes his life.
When his former dance partner comes to New York, she is shocked to find him homeless. Though he pushes her away, her unconditional love causes her to reach out to this man, who has given up on life.

AW: What inspired you to write this book?

GES: A song called ‘Dancer’ is the inspiration behind the book. Tralena Walker performed it at the Atlanta Writer’s Club. The talk was about storytelling in small spaces – such as song lyrics. When she said, “We’ve been looking for someone to turn this song into a novel, I had an epiphany. The entire story unfolded in my mind and I knew I was the one. I worked with her and her co-writer to shape the story.
In my epiphany, I also saw the opportunity to reach out to those struggling with addiction. I personally have witnessed people addicted to Meth. I’ve seen people escape the clutches of addiction, and other people waste away. My hope is twofold. For those who have loved ones struggling with a destructive addiction, this book presents the hope of God’s outstretched hand. For those fighting addiction, it shows that God doesn’t reject them. Nor does God hate those who lash out at Him. God doesn’t deal with us based on who we are, but based on who we will be when we stand before Him. No one is beyond hope.

AW: Do you have a favorite character and why that one?

GES: I felt drawn to a character named Kenyon. He’s a simple man with a genuine faith. He wrestles with God and reluctantly gives in. And then when he sees God move, he is amazed. Hmmm. Sounds familiar. Kenyon is a good contrast to those whose faith is pretentious in the book. No one in the world knows who Kenyon is except those who are touched by his life. Many readers have told me how much they liked Kenyon as well.

AW: Did you find anything particularly difficult in writing this book?

GES: Editing.For I Called Him Dancer, I have over 500 files with that name. So that should give you an idea of the number of saved revisions. On the advice of a publisher, I rewrote the novel completely, hated it, and rewrote it again. At one point I saved my manuscript with 'final draft' in the file name. When I hit final draft 29, I decided to name it something more realistic – something like, ‘Pathetic attempt 193’.
When everything was complete and perfect, I gave it to my editor. I received it back with needed corrections on nearly every page. I wanted to toss my hands up and say, “I’ve given it my best, what more can I do?” Turns out, there was a lot more that I could do. And these painful edits made the book so much better.

AW: What project(s) are you currently working on?

GES: I am just finishing a non-fiction book called ‘Simple Faith’. It’s a book about how God laid out a simple plan that shows every Christian how to walk in victory. It’s in the editing phase now and hopefully will be released soon.

AW: Do you have any interesting quirks you want to tell us about?

GES: I like to smash fire ants with a sledge hammer. One at a time, of course.

AW: Sledge hammer huh...I guess that is one way to 'kill time' :) Do you have any advice for writers out there?

GES: Write every day if possible. Our craft improves with perseverance. Also, no matter how good of a writer you are, the work has to be edited. The mind is a strange thing. We always fill in the gaps with our understanding of our work, and we can’t see the holes in our plot. If a writer has to explain what they meant, it needs to be rewritten. Once you edit your work to perfection, have it edited. When it’s perfect in your eyes, you’re ready to have your ego dashed to smithereens. Ah, the joy of the editing process.

AW: Where can we find you? (facebook, twitter, blog, website, etc)

GES: My website and blog is http://www.eddiesnipes.com
Twitter: @eddiesnipses
Facebook – eddiesnipes
Linked in – can you believe it? eddiesnipes

AW: And of course we have to know, where can we find your book?

GES: The kindle version is 99 cents at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ISLPUE/
There is also a print version at http://www.amazon.com/Called-Him-Dancer-Edward-Snipes/dp/0983224706/
For ebooks, it’s available on all major retailers.

Thank you so much Eddie!