Linda J. White & Lorraine Beatty | New Novel News

The Tiger's Cage
Linda J. White

Published: April 1, 2016
From: Windy Bay Books
Purchase: The Tiger's Cage


FBI Special Agent Tom Donovan’s life spins out of control when Angel Ramos, the drug lord he’s been investigating, kidnaps Tom’s eighteen-year-old son, Kenny. While Kenny fights to survive, Tom pursues Ramos aggressively. On the worst night of his life, he discovers his greatest strength isn’t his at all.

Get to know Linda...

Which of your characters do you secretly have a crush on? 
I love Tom Donovan! He’s strong, aggressive, and he frequently overruns his headlights. But his heart is good. He’s a wounded warrior, and I love that.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Black. Just the way Tom drinks it.

What are you reading right now? 
Just finished “The Nature of the Beast,” by Louise Penny, and “My Name is Lucy Barton,” by Elizabeth Strout. About to start “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah.

The Nanny's Secret Child
by Lorraine Beatty

Published: April 1, 2016
From: Love Inspired
Purchase: The Nanny's Secret Child


Widower Gil Montgomery’s new nanny has a secret. There’s a reason Julie Bishop and Gil’s daughter Abby connect so perfectly—Julie is Abby’s birth mother. Julie gave her daughter up for adoption years ago, but she couldn’t resist the chance to be close to the child her heart never forgot. But Julie never imagined she’d fall for the handsome adoptive dad. Gil’s been burned before, and Julie worries that if her secret is exposed, he’ll never forgive her.

The perfect family is so close, but so far… Unless Gil can let the past go and welcome Julie home. Right where she belongs.

Get to know Lorraine...

Who is your favorite secondary character?
 In one of my pre-Love Inspired books, I had a older woman named Florence who was interested in everything. She rode a motorcycle, took quilting classes, tap dancing lessons, arranged flowers and a long list of other things. She was so fun. I may have to clone her soon and use her in a LI book.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee. First thing. But I’m a purest. Regular coffee with cream and sugar. No flavors, not foam, or froth or little drawings. Okay, I’ll have an occasional Starbucks but only if there’s someone with me to interpret. They’re good but no way can I let myself get hooked on that stuff. I already have two favorite desserts. (*see next question.) I can’t afford another one. LOL

Favorite dessert?
Can I only have one? I just had a birthday so I ordered Chocolate Cake with Fudge icing. Yum. But I’m also in love with Bread Pudding – any kind, with or without rum sauce. I’ll confess I sometimes (rarely) I’ll make a small batch just for me. LOL

a Rafflecopter giveaway

::WINNER::

Congrats to Loraine N. as last week's winner from Sandra Orchard's adult coloring book giveaway!

Linda J. White {Writer Wednedsay}

A little bit about Linda...

--> Linda J. White is a former journalist. She writes FBI thrillers from her home in rural Virginia. Her husband worked at the FBI Academy for over 27 years. She has three traditionally published novels out, including the HOLT Medallion-winning “Seeds of Evidence.” Her fourth novel, “Battered Justice,” is an Indie.
How to connect with Linda...

Website: lindajwhite.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/lindajwhite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJWhiteBooks?ref=hl 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rytn4hm 
Purchase: Battered Justice

Author Interview  | Linda J. White

--> You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing? ...Twenty years ago, recovering from knee surgery, I had an idea for a story in the middle of the night: What if a confident, self-assured FBI agent had his life spin out of control when he son was kidnapped by the drug gang he’d been investigating? I told my husband about it the next day, and (bless him!) he said, “That’s a great story! You ought to write it.”

...Yeah, sure. Me? A mom at home?

....He was a video producer/director at the FBI Academy and began taking me over there and introducing me to agents. They were so helpful! A year later, I had a novel on my computer. It was amazing.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...I have to say, “The Tiger’s Cage,” that first book, is still my favorite. Yes, I’ve learned a lot and I am a better writer now, but what can I say? It was my first baby!

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...The hardest thing about publishing is the inevitable disappointments. So much is out of a writer’s control. Waiting for contracts, then patiently accepting the rejects and downturns in the market, is tough.

...The easiest, for me, is writing—getting lost in a book I’m working on.

--> Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book. Why did you write it?
...“Battered Justice” takes two FBI agents from my first published book, “Bloody Point,” and extends their story. Jake, a non-custodial father of two, remains determined to be a great dad and a terrific agent. Those goals conflict, and when a case he and his partner, Cass, are investigating gives indication his ex-wife’s new husband, Senator Westfield, is corrupt, life really gets complicated.

...“Battered Justice” deals with both domestic abuse and injustice. I wanted to explore both issues. And I couldn’t get “Bloody Point’s” characters out of my head! However, my agent and I agreed no traditional publisher would take it, so I self-published “Battered Justice.”

Do you have a favorite character in this work?
...I love Jake’s masculine tension and his secret love for Cass.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, and he will exalt you in due time.” From I Peter 5:6.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Hmmm… my sister gave be a sweatshirt with an applique that reads, “Watch out or I’ll put you in my novel!” I have to say I have drawn characteristics from people I know and combined them into unique characters. Just one character—Aunt Trudy—in “Bloody Point” is actually based on a real person. I got her permission to do so. Her story is amazing.
 
...I am close friends with a number of FBI agents, and many more have shared stories or their expertise with me over the years. One said to me, “You’ve gone over to the dark side! You’re thinking like an agent.” That was a compliment!

...The stories may come from the news (I was an editorial writer for thirteen years) or just from my head.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...My goal is to share my passion for Christ through “white-knuckle fiction.” I want to create books that keep readers up all night. And I want to depict characters struggling with the same spiritual questions we all do.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Persist. If God calls you to writing, then just keep writing. 




You

What is your favorite activity during the summer?  
...The beach! And a lot of my novels are set on or near the water.
What are you currently reading?
...“Ordinary,” by Tony Merida, and four books on dogs (research!).

Apparently August 15th is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day (who knew). What is your favorite dessert?
...I don’t do dessert much any more! 

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Thanks so much for being on the blog again Linda! Readers, I've had the pleasure of meeting Linda a few times in person and she's the best. I'm so excited she's offering a copy of Battered Justice here. Remember, I'm on vacation so I won't be able to respond to your comments but NOT TO FEAR - I will read them all :)

As for last week's winner, the contest is closed as of today (August 26th) but I will announce the winner of Nadine's book on Saturday when I get back from the coast. This post was scheduled and I won't have any way to update it. Thanks for understanding!

Thursday Book Winners

We have winners! These are always such fun posts!

First off for Battered Justice by Linda J. White our winner is...

Eva Rockman

Congratulations Eva - get in contact with me via the form to the left and we'll get your copy out to you!

And, for Get Real by Jamy Whitaker our winner is...


Caryl Kane

Congrats Caryl! I'll be in contact :)



Thank you everyone who participated. If you didn't win this time don't worry! Stop by Loree Lough's {Writer Wednesday} interview from this week. She's offering up 2 books so there will be 2 more winners! Can you tell I LOVE giving away books :D

Linda J. White | New Novel News

Battered Justice
by Linda J. White

Published May 2015
Windy Bay Books
Purchase: Battered Justice


FBI agents Jake Tucker and Cass McKenna find evidence of criminal conduct linked to a nearby casino. The problem? The powerful Maryland senator behind the casino is now married to Jake’s ex-wife Tam. As the investigators push in, Tam turns up dead. Jake’s grief turns to horror his fight for justice for Tam becomes a fight for his life.




Get to know Linda...

What are the names of your pets?
Four years ago, our younger daughter got married and moved to Atlanta. I got a puppy to help ease the transition—a Sheltie. Her registered name is Acadia Ode to Joy, because I’ve been on a long, determined quest to find joy in all circumstances. But her call name is Keira—Celtic for “dark beauty.” Sarah and I used to watch “Pride and Prejudice,” starring Keira Knightley, together a lot.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
We went to England in 2011, and our British friends took me to Chatsworth, a large estate home. Only when I walked into the room filled with white marble sculptures did I realize I was in “Pemberly,” Darcy’s home in “Pride and Predjudice”! Loved it!

What are you reading right now?
I’ve just finished “Once Beyond a Time” by Ann Tatlock and “The Wood’s Edge” by Lori Benton. I loved both of them. Ann’s is an imaginative, creative story that really made me think—and revel in the mysteries of God. Lori’s is historical fiction set in upstate New York. I love her writing!

End-of-Summer Giveaway WINNERS

I'm excited to announce the winners to the End-of-Summer Giveaway! It was a great turnout with almost 200 entries - thanks so much for the amazing turnout ;)

And now, the winners...

Bonnie Roof

   

Debra Stevens

Bev Wong 

Kay Davis Moorhouse

Deborah DeShields Logan

Yea! Congrats to you all - I'll be sending out an email so we can get your prizes to you! Thank you all for participating. I host giveaways often and provide opportunities for you readers to get to know new authors as well as some of your favorites. I hope to see you back on the blog again soon.

Words of Conviction by Linda J. White | RE:View

Excited to share my review of Linda J. White's Words of Conviction. You may remember Linda from her guest {Writer Wednesday} post a few weeks ago which you can find [here]. As a D.C. native, I look forward to connecting with her when I reach Washington!!!

_________________________________

Fast paced. Action packed. Guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat!  

Words of Conviction by Linda J. White is a fantastic FBI thriller set in the heart of Washington, D.C. following the kidnapping of five-year-old Zoe Grable, daughter to powerful Senator Bruce Grable.

Special Agent Mackenzie "Kenzie" Graham is still green in regards to her involvement in the field as an FBI agent. Smart, beautiful, and a talented forensic psycholinguists, she may be the only hope to get Zoe safely back in the arms of her father.

Special Agent John Crowfeather "Crow", a Navajo and former marine, is assigned to the team under Special Agent Scott Hansbrough who's calling the shots. Crow's cunning and protective instincts help to keep Kenzie safe, but could it be more than that?

I really enjoyed this fast-paced story set in D.C. The descriptions were perfect for gaining a feel for the location and White kept me guessing as to how it would be resolved all the way to the end! I would say that the relationship between Kenzie and Crow was a little stiff and sometimes felt forced. Crow is a difficult character to read, which is part of who he is, but the interpersonal aspect of the two doesn't hint much at the romance that could blossom in the future. Granted, with a fast-paced story and the hectic nature of an FBI investigation, I can see why there wasn't much time spent on developing a deeper connection between the two.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of fast-paced, FBI thrillers. If you love NCIS or Criminal Minds, you will love this book! Romantic Suspense fans will also enjoy this, though know the romance is back-burner. It doesn't take away from a great story though!

Purchase Words of Conviction

Book Description
(Taken from Linda's website)

FIRST, Special Agent Mackenzie Graham arrests Senator Bruce Grable. Then she becomes his very best hope for getting his kidnapped daughter Zoe back alive. Kenzie is a forensic psycholinguist. She studies words. Can the language the kidnapper uses provide clues to his identity? Teaming up with Special Agent John Crowfeather, a Navajo, Kenzie is about to find out.

_______________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Linda J. White {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Linda...

Linda J. White writes FBI thrillers from her home in rural Virginia. Her husband, Larry, was a video producer/director at the FBI Academy for over 27 years. Mother of three grown children, Linda is also a national-award winning journalist and a women’s ministry speaker. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing with Keira, her Sheltie, reading a book, or dreaming of the beach.

How to connect with Linda...

Website: lindajwhite.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJWhiteBooks?ref=hl
Twitter: @rytn4hm
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6834052.Linda_J_White
Purchase her novel:Words of Conviction  

Author Interview | Linda J. White

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?

...I’ve been a writer since I was little: My fourth-grade teacher thought enough of a poem I’d written to make it the centerpiece of the hallway Christmas bulletin board! I majored in English in college and won an award for writing as a government employee. Later, when I was married with children, I found myself editing preschool newsletters and writing all kinds of things for church, including a play for a major Christmas production. When my youngest child went off to school, I asked God, “OK, what do you want me to do with the rest of my life?” Having been a mom at home, I felt suddenly out of a job!

...But along came an idea for a novel … and a whole new life began. 

Why do I keep writing? 
...Because I go a little crazy if I don’t. I think writing helps me process my life. It gives my creativity an outlet. And because, frankly, it’s what I feel called to do—and what I do best!

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...My favorite book is still my first, an unpublished work I call “The Tiger’s Cage.” Why? I think because I was in the “can I really write a novel?” stage. I wasn’t worried about getting it published. I wasn’t writing with any marketing in mind. I was just expressing myself. It was fresh, and I still love it.

Your Writing 

Tell us a little bit about your book? Why did you write it?
...I met a wonderful lady, Dr. Sharon Smith, in Sunday School of all places. She was a forensic psycholinguist for the FBI. (She’s now retired.) She analyzed threats, detected deception, studied psychopaths, and did all manner of other interesting things. We have been friends now for at least 15 years, and she was very gracious to share her expertise with me.

...In “Words of Conviction,” the five-year-old daughter of a powerful senator is abducted from her bedroom. Special Agent Mackenzie Graham, a forensic psycholinguist, is assigned to the investigation team to analyze words from the kidnapper. But is her science reliable? Kenzie works with Special Agent John Crowfeather, a Navajo running from a difficult past, and Agent Scott Hansbrough as they search for the little girl.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...Because of God’s love for us, we can risk loving humans.

Writing

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...Certainly keeping up with the ever-changing world of publishing. I have an agent who does that better than I. Still, I find myself constantly off balance. I think God intends it that way.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...Clearly I want to present a good solid, logical story. I also care a lot about writing authentically about the FBI. My husband worked at the FBI Academy for over 27 years, and many of our friends are agents. But my overall mission statement is this: To spread a passion for Christ through white-knuckle fiction. If I can encourage someone to move a little closer to God through my books, my work is successful.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Persist. If God has called you to this work, keep writing. Because in the end, it’s not publication credits or awards or acclaim that matters, it’s obedience to his design for your life. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 ESV

You

What is your favorite season and why?
...I love fall. I think it’s refreshing after what in Virginia is usually a hot, humid summer. I love the colors of the trees, digging out my turtlenecks, and, after the first good frost, walking in the fields and woods with my dog without worrying about ticks. (I landed in the hospital a few years ago from a tick-borne illness called ehrlichiosis.) Fall brings lots of work as we gather, haul and stack wood, but there’s great reward just around the corner: warm, cozy nights in front of the woodstove in the frigid winter.

What is your favorite genre to read? Why do you enjoy it?
...I’ve always loved mystery suspense. Recently, I reconnected with a guy I haven’t had contact with in a long, long time. He reminded me that when I was in early elementary school, I ran around with three boys. No girly girl games for me! I wanted adventure! And that’s what I like in books.

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Linda, thank you so much for this wonderful interview today! I'm really looking forward to reading your novel (it's right up my alley!). I love how you say that writing helps you process life - I completely agree. And, I envy your connections to the FBI ;) It's difficult to write something that's entertaining and somewhat accurate without access to a little 'inside knowledge'. As for your love of fall - I am right there with you! I will be in DC for this fall and I cannot wait to experience it! Thanks again and I hope to see you back on the blog in the future!