Deb Raney's "Beneath a Southern Sky."

We're happy to have Deborah Raney with us today talking about her new release "Beneath a Southern Sky."

Don't forget to place your e-mail address in the feedburner box to the right also to receive blog updates. We give away at least one book per week. Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's or publisher's website. Read on to learn more about Deborah and her book...

1) How did this story come to you?
I’d heard some stories from World War II and even the Vietnam era where women believed their husbands to have been killed in the war, and then––after they’d remarried––they found out they were still alive. I wanted to explore a contemporary version of that dilemma.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I met Lisa Tawn Bergren through a writers group I’m part of. She loved my idea and pitched it to the pub board at WaterBrook Press where she was an editor (and author). They love the idea and eventually ended up buying the sequel, plus two other novels. I’m thrilled they are reissuing the book now.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. My first contract offer came the day after I witnessed a murder at our local grocery store.
2. I lived in New York for two years when my husband and I were newlyweds. (Those were two of the best years of our lives, but it was truly like living in a foreign country for this Kansas farm girl!)
3. Doctors told me I probably wouldn’t be able to have children, but the Lord blessed us with four––one born in the 70s, two in the 80s and one in the 90s!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I just (on Valentine’s Day!) finished Book 2, Forever After, of my new Hanover Falls Novels series. Book 1, Almost Forever comes out in May.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me on your blog! I love hearing from readers, so I hope anyone who’s interested in my books will take the time to contact me through my website.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
www.deborahraney.com

Flaherty's Crossing" by Kaylin McFarren

We're happy to have Kaylin McFarren with us today talking about her book "Flaherty's Crossing."
Don't forget to place your e-mail address in the feedburner box to the right also to receive blog updates. We give away at least one book per week. Click on the photo to the left to visit the author's or publisher's website. Read on to learn more about Kaylin and her book... FLAHERTY'S CROSSING

1) How did this story come to you?
About sixteen years ago, following my father’s death, I found myself obsessed with sitting in front of a typewriter trying to come to terms with unresolved issues by banging on keys. This silent venting became a sort of “therapy through writing” exercise which slowly evolved, taking on a life of its own. I began creating a related fictional story about a woman’s personal journey, titled Flaherty’s Crossing, and in the process of exploring my main character’s growth, I found myself learning and growing as well.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although Flaherty’s Crossing was a 2008 Golden Heart finalist and won numerous awards, rejection letters became common place. Emails and handwritten letters indicated my writing was strong, my voice unique, and the dialogue spot on. But with this story being a bit out-of-the-box, no one knew exactly where it would fit on the shelf. I eventually signed with an agent who fell absolutely in love with Flaherty’s Crossing. However, after being rejected by eight large publishers, we amiably parted ways. I sought out smaller publishing houses on my own and fortunately found a home with Champagne Books.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
a) I purchase tabloid magazines at the grocery store with no intention of reading them. Instead I cut out photographs of models and actors so I can visualize them as characters in my stories.
b) I've been caught writing in my pajamas by the postman so many times he doesn't seem to notice the sushi or pink umbrellas on my flannel wear any more.
c) My rule of thumb: the perfect ingredients for writing romantic scenes are a nice glass of merlot and the soothing sound of Michael Buble's voice.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
At this time, I'm working on an action/adventure romance series titled Severed Threads which introduces Rachel Lyons, a former marine biologist. In book one, Rachel's forced to steal a legendary artifact out from under Jordan Novak, a salvage diver and former love interest in order to save the life of her estranged brother from a ruthless mobster. However, when she discovers that Jordan has his own unselfish agenda for recovering the treasure, she must decide whose life and love is more important. In subsequent novels, readers will be taken into Australia's desolate outback and the mysterious geisha quarters of Japan, which I've had the privilege of visiting on multiple occasions.

5) Parting comments?
In order to honor my father's memory and do my part in bringing an end to cancer in our lifetime, I've made a commitment to donate all the proceeds from the sale of this book to the cancer research center at Providence Medical Center. I strongly urge anyone who enjoys reading to visit my website, read excerpts and information about the mouse project, and purchase your copy of Flaherty's Crossing today. Together we can truly make a difference.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com/
http://www.flahertyscrossing.com
http://www.facebook.com/kaylinmcfarren
http://www.myspace.com/kaylinmcfarren
http://www.twitter.com/4kaylin