Feeling Fall by Lori Bates Wright | Guest Post + GIVEAWAY

Two things you should know about me:

First of all, I absolutely love (cartwheels through the pumpkin patch ADORE!) autumn.

Secondly, I am first and foremost a romance writer so I obviously I like prose that makes me feel something. Emotional elements are vital to taking a story beyond good to flat out fabulous.

So combining the two makes perfect sense. What better inspiration to practice multi-sensory writing than from a glorious autumn backdrop? Fall can be a treasure trove of sensory prompts. By the time September finally arrives after another scorching summer of Texas heat, I am more than ready to break out the big plastic tub of fall decorations and delight in each cherished piece. One by one each item evokes a memory, transports me to another time when through sight, smell, touch, taste or sound and I am stirred to feel what fall means to me. Good writing can accomplish much the same thing by using words to evoke a certain tone , setting the stage for what you want your reader to feel.

“When a story, even when crafted with beautiful sentences, fails to have the all-important quality of ‘emotional resonance,’ often the writer has rendered only the surface, the external shell, the things that happen— the plot —without dipping beneath that surface of story events.”

~ Q. Lindsey Barrett

How do you craft a story to engage the heart as well as the head? You make your reader feel what your characters feel through descriptive imagery using all five senses. Beyond saying your forlorn protagonist is sad, show her staring off into a variegated sunset while the lonesome call of a violin plays from somewhere behind her. You get the picture. Good descriptive phrasing can make the difference between flat, one-dimensional writing to prose that comes off the page and lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the page.

“We read textbooks to comprehend; we read literature to feel.”

~ Jessica Morrell, Master Writing Teacher and Editor

With the crisp fall breeze comes the promise of all things cozy and familiar. I love the vibrant colors, the smell of wood burning in the fireplace, and the sounds of a high school football game. Even better if I’m wrapped in a warm hoody and enjoying hot cocoa in a thermos. What other fall-ish things prompt your descriptive imagination?

Here are a few suggestions to get you going: 

Sights:

• Amazing Colors – leaves start their gorgeous transformation
• Huge, lit-up ferris wheel at the State Fair
• Days get shorter and the big Harvest Moon makes an appearance
• Perfect rows of an apple orchard Pumpkins everywhere! 

by Sam Wheeler

Sounds:

• The crackle of leaves beneath your boots
• In Texas it’s cricket season – not the kind you play with a ball and mallet – the chirping kind that can get so loud by dusk it’s hard to hear yourself think. (would be great backdrop for a suspense scene)
• It’s also pecan season here, so the sound of shelling pecans is definitely an autumn staple
• Falling asleep to the sound of rain (its been 41 days without rain as I write this in August. Sooooo ready for this one!)

Smells:

• The smell of smoke from fireplaces
• Downy Fabric Softener– Yes, I use Downy in the rinse cycle mostly in cooler weather months for sweaters, blankets, scarves, flannel sheets, etc. So, Downy smells like fall to me.
• Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean, ginger, and clove
• Thanksgiving - oh my goodness! Where to start?

Tastes:

• It’s harvest time at Farmer’s market, so root vegetables are in abundance
• Chili and stews
• Apple, pecan and pumpkin pies
• Carmel apples

From Flicker by Browniesfordinner

Touch:

• Warm cozy sweaters
• Hot pumpkin-spiced latte
• The crisp breeze though an open window
• Cuddling

Helping your reader identify with your characters is what will cause your reader to care about your characters and ultimately care about what happens to them. You don’t need to use all five sensory prompts at once, just layer in a couple at a time to make your work come alive. And in the mean time, enjoy the magnificent sights, sounds, tastes and smells of fall!

How does fall inspire you? 

Readers, Em here: Make sure you leave a comment for Lori to enter for a chance to win this amazing giveaway. Lori has picked out some amazing things of fall here!!! Can't wait to see who wins the lovely "fall starter kit" as I'm affectionately calling it. Thanks again for being on the blog Lori!

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Lori Bates Wright has been writing for over 20 years. She spent 7 years as a reviewer for The Literary Times and Romantic Times magazines. She's written several allegorical Bible studies, is on the road to seeing one of her three historical romance novels in print. As Women’s Ministry Director for her church, she enjoys speaking and interacting with women of all ages.

Raised in New Mexico, Lori now lives in Texas with her husband of 35 years. They have two grown children and four adorable grand boys.
Find Lori on Twitter @ladylbw

Pam Hillman & Alice K. Arenz | New Novel News

Yep, we've got another set for New Novel News today - it's like a Labor Day miracle ;) Enjoy these releases as well!

Stealing Jake

by Pam Hillman

August 2015

Tyndale House

Purchase: Stealing Jake

When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can’t seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Get to know Pam...

What are the names of your pets? If you don't have any, what would you name your pets?
Our dog Dakota is a off-white colored black mouth cur. She’s a rescue dog that my son got from a pet rescue service when he was in college. At some point, she became my dog. I can’t even remember why she ended up at our house. She’s pretty protective of her space here on the farm. Our previous dog, Ruby, was a chocolate Lab. Ruby loved people and went to church 4 times a week. Our church is at the end of our ½ mile long driveway, so she knew when church was about “to commence” because of the cars, and she rarely missed a service. Ruby hated other cats and dogs with a passion, though, so she was the only one we had for years. She was really old when we got Dakota, and she tolerated the new dog. But, having Dakota made it a bit easier when we lost Ruby a year or so later. Dakota likes other animals, but doesn’t like people she doesn’t know. Both Ruby and Dakota had their share of adorable puppies, and I would have kept them all. I contented myself with taking lots of pictures.

Cats or dogs or both?
I’m a farm girl, so I love both cats and dogs. Growing up, I was more of a cat lover, but in the last few years, we’ve had more dogs than cats. My books usually have a cat or a dog, and several have had litters of puppies and kittens. There’s a litter of kittens in Stealing Jake, and Livy is a bit nervous about the whole process of birth because of a terrible experience with her sister, and she becomes a bit overwrought during the birth of the kittens. I wrote the scene from my own experiences. I’m a bit overprotective when the animals go into labor.

What’s one thing you must have in the morning?
Coffee from my Keurig. I won’t say I must have it, but it sure is nice. Every morning, I get up, feed Dakota who starts whining at the back door the minute she hears me, then I make myself a cup of coffee in the Keurig. I just love that little one-cup coffee pot. I don’t always have the same flavor. It might be Hazelnut, Colombian mild, or Vanilla Biscotti, or something else. I tend to try new flavors depending on how delicious the name sounds! I sip my coffee while checking email and planning my day.

The Case of the Bouncing Grandma

by Alice K. Arenz

September 2, 2015

Forget Me Not Romances, A Division of Winged Publications

Purchase: The Case of the Bouncing Grandma

Has Glory hit her head one too many times, or was there really a foot dangling out of that carpet?

Reduced to watching new neighbors move in as a form of amusement, Glory Harper is stuck in a wheelchair with a broken leg, bored, and itching for some excitement. She just doesn’t expect it to come in the form of a foot dangling out the back of a carpet as it’s carried into her new neighbor’s house. The problem is getting someone to believe her.

The moment police recognize Glory as the woman whose misadventures have given her a sketchy reputation, her believability quotient lowers considerably. Just when she thinks someone’s taking her seriously, Glory realizes Detective Rick Spencer, a Harrison Ford look alike, appears more interested in her than in her story.

But, while she’s looking in what seems the obvious direction to solve this mystery, the real criminals are hot on her trail.  

Get to know Alice...

Favorite place you’ve traveled to?

Returning to Alaska, where I’d lived the first part of my childhood. It only took 35 years to get there and I was only able to stay two days, but they were two AWESOME days. That was a long time ago now. I’m glad I’d had the opportunity to do it when I did, because my health wouldn’t allow me to do it now.

What's one chore you hate doing?  

I hate dusting---it seems so pointless. No sooner have you gotten rid of the dust and turned around, it’s back again. Um . . . it’s that way with a lot of things. But we gotta do what we gotta do.

Name one song/artist you're embarrassed you like.  

Ok, The Monkees ZILCH. I guess that ages me, huh?

Unconditional by Tanya Eavenson | New Novel News

Unconditional
by Tanya Eavenson

Published September 2, 2015
*This is a re-release of Unconditional with new additional scenes. It’s also the launch of a new series called Unending Love.
Clean Reads
Purchase: Unconditional


He will fight for her at any cost...

Elizabeth Roberts can't remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs and drinking to forget her infant daughter's death, her husband's affair.

When his wife's coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort elsewhere. He can't erase his betrayal, but with God's help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth at any cost.

She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find a love that’s unconditional?

Get to know Tanya...

Coffee or tea?
Coffee. For me there’s nothing more relaxing than having a cup of coffee and reading a great book. C.S. Lewis wrote, “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” I feel the same way about coffee!

Favorite dessert?
I discovered my favorite dessert just last year. It took me over forty years to find it, but found it I did! Last fall my husband and I made a pumpkin roll that left us wanting more. Don’t believe me? The recipe says it serves 10, but it only served the two of us. Yes, it was that good!

Who is your favorite secondary character?  
My favorite secondary character is Dr. Steven Moore from my novel Unconditional. He’s the tall, dark, and handsome type, but not only is he good looking, his heart for the Lord is his driving force. He lives for what is true and right, even if it breaks him in the process. I actually loved Steven’s character so much, I had to write it! Steven’s story releases winter of 2016 and I can’t wait!

Caryl McAdoo {Writer Wednesday}

Oops! Okay, this should have posted yesterday but due to some unforeseen circumstances (and the fact that I was traveling all day) I couldn't get it up until now. Enjoy...

Get to know Caryl...

Christian, hybrid (Simon & Schuster & Indie) author Caryl McAdoo is currently writing three series, all from a perspective of faith: her historical Texas Romances; the contemporary Red River Romances; and The Generations, her Biblical fiction. The novelist loves singing new songs the Lord gives her, and she paints. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying each story gives God glory, she hopes it will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.
How to connect with Caryl....

Website: http://www.CarylMcAdoo.com
(All First Chapters are offered here)
Newsletter: http://carylmcadoo.com/sign-up-to-the-caryler/ 
(Get FREE books for subscribing!)
Reviewer?: http://carylmcadoo.com/christian-evaluaters/ 
(Join Caryl’s Street Team!)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarylMcAdoo.author 
Blog: http://www.CarylMcAdoo.blogspot.com
GoodReads: http://tinyurl.com/GoodReadsCaryl 
Google+: http://tinyurl.com/CarylsGooglePlus
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CarylMcAdoo
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/CarylMcAdoo
Purchase: Daughters of the Heart


Author Interview | Caryl McAdoo


You and Writing

...I’m a Grami God’s blessed with fifteen grandsugars, marriage to my high school sweetheart (forty-seven years). Ron’s my best friend, and I really do love him more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow. And there’s so many other blessings: precious friends, creativity, health, an agent, and Simon and Shuster’s Howard Books publishing my book. Sometimes I can hardly believe the Lord’s goodness toward me, and I know I’m not deserving, it’s just because He loves me so.

We moved from the DFW Metroplex—where we’d lived fifty-five years—to Clarksville, a county seat in far Northeast Texas. Our house sits way off the paved road back into the woods. I do love the small town, country life! We’re surrounded by trees, and I can look out over a pond in the back from the dining room or kitchen or utility room window. We’ve found a wonderful Church of God with a great youth group for the boys (we’re rearing grandsons) only about twenty-five minutes away, and toward Paris which is where my Walmart is.

Besides O’Pa and the boys, I live with five dogs, two outside and three inside, and a varying number of barn cats depending on the day. I love my horse, Bliss, though I don’t ride as much as I used to. I enjoy the Brown Bag Book Club once a month at the Red River County Public Library, my Luncheon Ladies group that also meets once a month and two writers groups, and hope to set up an ACFW Chapter soon.

After Howard published VOW UNBROKEN (book one in the historical series), I prayed and believe God led me to go Indie—independent—which makes me a hybrid author. I love being in control of my stories and titles and covers and marketing! Every part of the process is exhilarating, and the best part is being in charge of the scheduling! It doesn’t take me two years, yet all my Indie titles are earning just as many 5-star reviews (or more). Happy Grami, happy Grami :)

Your Writing

Tell us about your year, and what you’re currently working on.

...What I’m working on changes almost weekly keeping up with the motivation to reelease ten titles in 2015, maybe eleven. HOPE REBORN came in January and THE PREACHER’S FAITH in February, THEN THE DELUGE COMES, volume 2 in The Generations Biblical fiction series in March, April’s SING A NEW SONG, book 2 in contemporary Christian Red River Romance series, then SINS OF THE MOTHERS, bk 4 of the historical in May. I took June to catch up then released a new contemporary ONE AND DONE during the World Series Break since it has a Texas Rangers backdrop. J

In August came TOKEN OF THE COVENANT, volume 3 of the Biblical fictions, and now in September, I can almost sigh a big whew, so pleased to have DAUGHTERS OF THE HEART SING A NEW SONG, book five in my historical Texas Romance series. I’ve said, ‘if God wills’ since January, even before, and He’s been with me and leading me every step of the way!

October will bring ACQUIRING A WIFE, book 4 of contemporary Christian Red River Romances, and November’s offering is CHILDREN OF EBER, volume 4 of The Generations series. And of course, besides writing, there’s been editing, proofing, working with my very talented graphic designer on the historical, my highly gifted artist who paints an original piece for each of The Generations books, and all the marketing and promoting to keep up with… What a Year! What an awesome year! I’ll never forget 2015 and all that God has done!

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?

...I pray my story brings God glory. I’ve adopted that prayer as my mantra, so that is always the first thing I write my stories to do. Next I hope readers will be drawn closer to Him, discover a tip to trust Him more, and build their faith. Since I think I’ve learned a thing or seven in my sixty-five years, I also hope my characters offer them practical ways to live a better life in Him through obedience and scriptural principals. If I can just accomplish a fraction of what I hope, I’m expecting to hear, WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

What about that marketing you mentioned? I heard authors have to do a lot of their own these days.

...Oh the joys of marketing. Yes, ma’am, it is true that in today’s world, an author isn’t through when she writes THE END on the last page of her story. Far from it. Publishers want to know that you’re willing to put in hours of social media time and blogging and scheduling and traveling to sell your books—the novels that they have so much time and money invested in. They want the author to invest in the success of their novel as well.

I’m so blessed again to have Howard Books behind VOW UNBROKEN, and it doesn’t hurt that I’ve been in sales all my life either. Being connected with people, talking and sharing and visiting—I love it, every aspect of it. I love people. I love getting to know them. I can sell my novel because it is a well written, engaging, God-inspired story. I believe in it.

I have prayed over it from start to finish, through edits, and every step since. I fully believe that the words I write, Holy Spirit will use to touch readers and change lives because I trust that He will open and prepare hearts to receive the truths presented in my character’s lives. I can hardly wait to receive testimonies as to what God has done in lives through my stories.

Thanks so much for being on the blog Caryl! And everyone, leave a comment to enter to win this amazing book! Check back next week for the winner.

****

And speaking of WINNERS, we have one from last week with Linda J. White's giveaway for Battered Justice.

Congratulations to...

Patti Shene

Congrats Patti! I'll be emailing you soon :)

Seek and Hide by Amanda G. Stevens | RE:View

I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda G. Stevens at a conference a few years ago and during that time I did some headshots for her. Then we ended up at the same terminal for a flight and got to talking. I just love this girl and was super excited when I saw on Facebook that she'd sold her series to David C. Cook! Now, a little late to the game, here I am reviewing that very book (the first in her Haven Seekers series). I cannot say enough good things about Amanda or her writing...but I'll try ;)

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I was blown away by this book. From the very first page until the ending I was captured by Amanda's writing style and the unique perspective she's given her characters. Set in the not-so-distant (and not so far-fetched) future, Seek and Hide explores the reality of a world with government controlled church.

Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, is a fantastically complex and yet completely endearing character who is by far my favorite throughout the story. His motivations, emotions, and commitment to protect the ones he cares about propel him to set aside personal safety for the good of others.

Aubrey Weston just want's to protect her son, though that reality becomes more difficult than she would have expected. I appreciated Aubrey's growth throughout the book and the way that Amanda dealt with difficult faith issues that aren't localized to a fictional world but that stretch across to connect with readers in today's world.

Seek and Hide mixes complex yet relatable characters with riveting plot twists to provide a thrilling read that will force you to turn page after page until the very end.

I highly recommend this book to my readers! Amanda is a fantastic writer and the twists and turns of the plot will keep you guessing to the end. She combines thrilling suspense and characters with depths to explore that go beyond the pages. I also love how she deals with difficult truths and doesn't shy away from emotions and subjects that we deal with today. Five starts to Seek and Hide...now on to book 2 Found and Lost ;)

Rating: 5*
Purchase: Seek and Hide

Book Description
(from Amanda's website)

Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment—including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent.

Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she’s targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she’d never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help.

When Aubrey and Marcus’s lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus’s life in a way he’d never expect, turning a loner into a leader.

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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.

Bat Crazy by Carole Brown | New Novel News

Bat Crazy 
by Carole Brown

 
August 25, 2015
Story and Logic Media Group
Purchase: Bat Crazy


Monster Bats with red eyes that attack humans? Denton doesn’t think so and Alex hopes not, but who are they to quibble with the local gossip?

Transmission problems and a blown tire land Denton and Alex Davies right in the middle of a dilapidated, unfriendly town that’s welcoming no strangers, least of all nosy ones with a bent toward solving mysteries.

But with support from the town detective--an admirer of the Davies--and their own tenacious personalities, Denton and Alex aren’t easily scared off. Not when warnings in the form of painted bats show up on the porch of their rented cabin, not when the mayor threatens to run them out of town and not even when Denton finds the bones . . .

An ancient story, a bit of a map, a lost jewel and even a bat clan serve to provide the Davies and their sidekick, Taffy, the dog, their hardest case so far.

Get to know Carole...

What are the names of your pets?

One dog: Taffy, who looks like a Jack Russell. Showed up at our place and no one ever claimed her. At about the same time one of our horses died and the other one was grieving. When my husband and son came home that day, Taffy sat close to Shyenne. Whatever Taffy said to Shyenne we’ll never know, but from that day forward, Shyenne was fine! 
Outdoor cats: Tipper (tiny, touchy/grouchy and found by son #1 in a school building being torn down when she was a kitten), Simon, Sandy
One horse: Shyenne

What are you reading right now?

Mary Ellis’s Midnight on the Mississippi (a mystery!)
Renee Blare’s To Soar on Eagle’s Wings
Norma Gail’s Land of My Dreams

If you were stranded on an island what are three things you couldn’t live without?

My husband
My grandsons
My computer! (Yeah, I know: probably no internet, but I could still write my novels on it! Oh, I’d have to have hubby rig up some kind of electricity gadget (whatever!). :)

Winners & Such | A Time To Die by Nadine Brandes

Welp, I'm back from vacation! It was a lovely trip (check out my Instagram for some pics if you'd like to see the Oregon Coast where we camped).

And, as promised, we have a WINNER from last weeks author interview with Nadine Brandes (check out her interview here if you missed it).

Drum roll...

Brittany Valentine 

Yea! Congrats Brittany :D

But, don't worry! There are still TWO chances to win things on my blog...crazy, right?

Leave a comment on this post to enter to win a copy of Battered Justice by Linda J. White.

Enter on the Rafflecopter giveaway and sign up for my new newsletter to enter this fun giveaway!