K. Dawn Byrd

Monday, January 10, 2011

Shawna Williams & Clash of the Titles "Orphaned Hearts"

Clash of the Titles, Where Authors Compete and Readers Judge

Clash of the Titles got off to a strong start in the last quarter of 2010. With their new spin on book promotion within the Christian Fiction marketplace, you can't help but sit up and take notice. With us today is Michelle Massaro, Assistant Editor for COTT, to highlight another five featured authors.

Shawna: My book, Orphaned Hearts, competed in the competition for Most Touching Christmas Scene. I enjoyed the opportunity to share this special part of my book with new readers. My book is an e-book with a small press that has been open for less than two years, so I especially appreciated the anonymity in which the competition is conducted. It keeps the focus on writing. I was astonished to find out that I had competed against a book from a very well known publisher and my book had won with 77% of the vote.

Orphaned Hearts is a historical romance set in Northwestern Arkansas during 1932. It's about a minister, David Langley, who had been severely burned in the same fire that killed his family when he was a baby. David's burns are concealed beneath his clothes, but he has always believed them to be the reason he was never adopted as a child, and the reason he will never have a family as an adult. Then Caleb, a six-year old orphaned boy, handicapped in the accident that claimed his family comes along. Only Sadie Miller, the town spinster, has a heart big enough to see past Caleb's disability. If David can find a home for Caleb, maybe there's hope for him, too.

Fun stuff about me? Hmm... I used to be heavily involved in competitive dance, and during the summer of 1988 I was given the title Miss Halftime USA. I don't think I could kick much higher than my knee nowadays. I still have a somewhat competitive spirit, just at slightly less physical activities, like card games.

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I look back over 2010 with a very full heart at all of the authors who have joined the COTT family. The Lord has been good to us. Readers and writers are being brought together, brothers and sisters are connecting, and I have made some good friends. I can't wait to see what's in store for 2011 and I sure hope you will join us- both as a reader and as a competitor. Authors can get information on participation at www.clashofthetitles.com/contact.html. Come take part in the website where authors battle and readers judge!

Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor for Clash of the Titles website and an aspiring novelist. She and her husband Mike live in Southern California with their four children, two dogs, two cats, ten guppies, and one rat. They attend Living Truth Christian Fellowship where they teach origins science to the youth and where Michelle is involved in the worship ministry.

Rachael Phillips & Clash of the Titles "A Door County Christmas"

Rachael: What do I enjoy most about COTT? It's fun--and instructive--to interact with the readers, meeting new friends who love Christian fiction.

Rachael's story is part of a collection called A Door County Christmas. Of her novella, Ride with Me into Christmas, she says:

Most romances involve a young heroine and hero, some of whom experience parental resistance. Instead, I created sixtyish widowed characters whose Grinch-y grown children had no intentions of letting their late-life romance bloom. I also made Joanna and Paul cyclists, sharing a pastime my husband and I learned to enjoy--after we actually learned how to ride our bicycle built for two. Like us, my characters learned lack of communication and cooperation can mean a crash! The cycling theme worked very well in Door County, as it boasts many scenic bicycle trails--the perfect setting for love on wheels.

Fun fact: Two of my novella partners were Wisconsin natives. I'm from Indiana--not too far away. But our fourth partner was from Texas and had never seen snow! We told her to leave her flip-flops at home and join us in Door County, which she did, in November 2009. We spent three crazy days (that included a power outage as we were writing) in Door County together. Not only did our meeting produce fun romance novellas, but close writing friendships that continue to endure. We're hoping to do it again sometime!

***
I look back over 2010 with a very full heart at all of the authors who have joined the COTT family. The Lord has been good to us. Readers and writers are being brought together, brothers and sisters are connecting, and I have made some good friends. I can't wait to see what's in store for 2011 and I sure hope you will join us- both as a reader and as a competitor. Authors can get information on participation at www.clashofthetitles.com/contact.html. Come take part in the website where authors battle and readers judge!

***

Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor for Clash of the Titles website and an aspiring novelist. She and her husband Mike live in Southern California with their four children, two dogs, two cats, ten guppies, and one rat. They attend Living Truth Christian Fellowship where they teach origins science to the youth and where Michelle is involved in the worship ministry.

Clare Revell & Clash of the Titles "Season for Miracles"

Clare: I discovered COTT from a link on a yahoo group and loved the fact it was dedicated solely to Christian fiction. It's a unique chance to get our books out there on a 'safe' site. What surprised me most - after getting down to the final two - was winning. Putting my debut eBook novel Season for Miracles out there like this was a huge step of faith, letting the readers judge is always nerve racking and I was thrilled that so many of them liked it.

Season For Miracles is total role reversal - she's a mechanic, he's a hairdresser. Throw a serial killer and a Christmas wedding into the mix and off you go.

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Lynette Sowell & Clash of the Titles "A Riverwalk Christmas"

Clash of the Titles, Where Authors Compete and Readers Judge

Clash of the Titles got off to a strong start in the last quarter of 2010. With their new spin on book promotion within the Christian Fiction marketplace, you can't help but sit up and take notice. With us today is Michelle Massaro, Assistant Editor for COTT, to highlight another five featured authors.

Lynette: I thought COTT was great fun. I'm a competitive person, and I thought this was a fun and unique way to introduce our books to new readers.

A Riverwalk Christmas: Gabriela Hernandez tries to juggle her life as an up-and-coming chef in her family’s Riverwalk restaurant. When her parents decide to renovate their home kitchen, this puts Gabriela on a collision course with contractor Miguel Rivera.

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Monday, January 3, 2011

Shawna Williams' "Orphaned Hearts"

We're happy to have Shawna K. Williams with us today talking about her book, Orphaned Hearts.

Title: Orphaned Hearts
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Cover blurb: Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.
When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.
Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.
David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.

1) How did this story come to you?
My granddad was an orphan. I have pondered a lot about his feelings when he became a father and finally had his own family. I've also thought a lot about other ways his experiences molded him. My grandmother worked with her dad at the orphanage's dairy, so she was also influenced by what she saw at the orphanage. One day the idea struck about an adult orphan searching for a home for an orphaned child, and how finding one might also fulfill a deep yearning within himself.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This story had initially been a ten thousand word short story called The Orphan's Home. I started it with the intention to submit to a literary journal, but it ended up being a little long. I then decided to lengthen it a little more and submit it as a novelette. The EIC of the first press I sent it to contacted me and said she liked the characters and plot but thought it needed more romance. She asked me to revise and resubmit, which I did, only this time the acquisitions editor it ended up with had a problem with a 'lie by omission' that David does at the beginning of the story. His inaction has bad consequences, but because he is a preacher I was told that he should show a higher standard. The problem was that without this inaction in the beginning, there was no story. His reasons were motivated by a deep hurt, and the story is about his journey to resolve that. This rejection turned out to be a good thing because the next place I wanted to submit only accepted longer stories. At this point I was pretty attached to the characters and even more possibilities with the story were bouncing around in my brain, and the end result is Orphaned Hearts.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I used to work at a radio station. My writing career started because of a vivid dream. When I was 18 I performed a dance routine on a late night talk show in Hong Kong.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm currently working on "The Good Fight". It's a spin-off from my first two books, "No Other" and "In All Things". It's about Roger, the district attorney of Port Delamar, as he goes after Niles Parker (Meri's evil father in the other books) for his involvement in illegal gambling establishments. Of course, there's also a romance with a new character, Ralph's sister, Pennye. If any of you guys have read In All Things you can probably guess why this is a complicated relationship. "The Good Fight" releases in November 2011.

5) Parting comments?
It hasn't been that long since I visited K. Dawn's blog, so my parting comments really haven't changed. I just want to encourage writers to write what's on their heart. Your sincerity will shine through your words, and nothing reaches deeper into the soul than a sincere heart.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet? My Website: http://shawnakwilliams.com/
My blog: http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/shawnakwilliams
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shawna-K-Williams/236629884245

Roger Bruner's "Found in Translation"

We're happy to have Roger Bruner with us today talking about his book, Found in Translation.
Title: Found in Translation
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Cover blurb:Faith, obedience, and forgiveness intersect in a remote Mexican village. When Kim Hartlinger—eighteen and spoiled—arrives on a mission trip to Mexico and discovers, to her chagrin, that she’ll be doing construction in a remote village without plumbing and electricity, rather than evangelism in a medium-sized town with a fast food joint . . she has only two choices. “Rough it” (which isn’t exactly what Kim had in mind when she signed up for this trip) or turn around and head home.
Will Kim be able to touch the villagers’ hearts with the Gospel? Or will her time in Mexico be up before she gets the chance?
Kristi Rae Bruner lives in the Orlando area and enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and cooking. During her teen years, she went on a life-changing mission trip to Mexico.
Roger Bruner worked as a teacher, job counselor, and programmer analyst before retiring to pursue his dream of writing Christian fiction full-time.

1) How did this story come to you?
When my daughter, Kristi, went on a Global Expeditions mission trip to Mexico, she didn’t follow the directions and had to pay for overweight baggage to bring things she didn’t need; she also failed to bring some of the items she did need. Kristi’s well-intended bad beginning—along with the fact her group did construction and the area had a lot of trash on the ground—stirred my imagination. Found in Translation started out as a short story, but—from the beginning—I knew it would eventually become a novel. Kristi wrote the foreword.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Despite the fact that Found in Translation won first place in the novel competition at the 2006 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, it turned out to be far from publishable. But I didn’t realize how far until James Scott Bell looked at the first page a year or two later and said, “You’re not even starting with a scene.” Long story (slightly) shorter, I cut the first fifty pages and came up with a better beginning. Kimberly Shumate, then at Harvest House, became one of my biggest fans, even though HH couldn’t use my novels. When I sent her a sample of Found in Translation, she requested the whole thing. Later that week, she told me she’d sent it to Terry Burns at Hartline and I now had an agent. Although another year passed before I was offered contracts for Found in Translation and its sequel, Lost in Dreams, that was largely a matter of continuing to write while waiting and pretending to be patient while Terry did the work.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
When I was in the eighth grade, I had acute viral encephalitis. The doctors said that—even if I came out of the coma and recovered—I might just be a vegetable. God intervened, and you can see what kind of vegetable I am now.
I was a PK—a preacher’s kid—but I turned out reasonably normal in spite of the fact I hated being a PK.
When I was a teen, my parents didn’t want me to bother saving for a nice guitar; they thought that would be just one more of many hobbies I started and abandoned. Boy! Were they pleasantly surprised when I stuck with it and proved I had songwriting talent as well as guitar playing ability.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m trying to decide whether to take a chance on Barbour’s contracting a third and fourth novel in the Altered Hearts series or to work on something totally unrelated. In the meantime, I’m editing and revising two other novels—a YA called Wherefore Art Thou Ramón and a somewhat-whimsical speculative novel called The Devil & Pastor Gus.

5) Parting comments?
I never expected the after-sixty part of my life to be the most exciting and fulfilling part, but it has been so far. I can hardly wait to see how God uses my writing!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.rogerbruner.com/. Please feel free to send me a friend request at www.facebook.com/roger.bruner. You can watch my book trailer at www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3JXf5WUSCA.

Dream Summore's "Mirror Beware!"

We're happy to have Dream Summore with us today talking about her book, Mirror Beware!
Title: Mirror, Beware!
Publisher: G Street Chronicles

Cover blurb: Antoinette Rodgers, known by everyone as Toni, is a stunning, vibrant, young girl that loves the Lord with aspirations of playing in the WNBA. Toni is torn between what she knows to be true and her dream of being a basketball star when she meets Money Mike, who is a famous rap artist.
Money Mike introduces Toni to a fantasy life of money, fame, and glamour. Toni becomes addicted to this new way of life causing her to turn away from God and into a downward spiral of destructive behavior. Will Toni be able to find her way back to God, discover true love, and fulfill her dream? Or, is it too late for Toni’s dreams to become reality?

1) How did this story come to you?
While working nearly two years in a group home (foster care) environment, I realized that there are so many stories that these young adults face of which has been overlooked. Therefore, I started writing their story in Mirror, Beware! I plan to continue the Mirror Sagas in the near future.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
When I originally finished the manuscript in late 2006 (wrote within 4 weeks), I sent out to a new publisher that an editor-friend told me about. Originally, it was written as a short story for an anthology. I received a call about two weeks later from the senior editor on this teen project and had ‘good’ and ‘bad’ news to share. She stated that they didn’t want the story for this book project; however, they wanted me to write it in a full-fledge novel. I completed before the end of the year. I submitted the work but never got a callback after a year of waiting. I proceeded with another publisher that was new from an email received by an author-friend. This publisher had great interest in the work but wanted to change the current title name to Mirror, Mirror. I felt this title was used in fairytales and this was a young adult book. However, due to their transitions within the publishing company to choose new board members and such, I never received the contract. Less than a year later, I sought out another publisher who also was only out for about two years. They had an interest and sent contract via email. After the contract was submitted, we started with the editing process a month later. Due to the required editing and time schedule for the book to be published, the contract was terminated and had to proceed with a new publisher once more. A month later, I located another possible lead to a publisher and it was picked up immediately. However, someone on the publisher board sent a canceled contract without their knowledge. Then, the publisher called me to let me know that the contract still was in place and book was published by July 2010. Therefore, it went through three publishers before one publisher picked it up. It was almost denied a total of four times but finally it’s in print.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I’ve been in a stage play entitled “Are you Ready?” for nearly two years. In the past, I was involved in drama, dance, and talent shows. I also was in the stage play in high school, “Fame” as the dancer Phoenicia.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m writing a screenplay for Mirror, Beware! I’m also writing the next book of the Mirror Saga Spin-off called Mirror Broken. There will be 5 total at this time.

5) Parting comments?
Believe in your dreams, continue to dream and soar for more, and make your dreams a reality. It is one thing to dream but it’s another thing to see your dreams come into fruition.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Dream Summore: http://www.dreamsummore.webs.com/, Blog: http://www.dream-summore.blogspot.com/, Twitter: dreamsummore. Facebook: Dream Summore. Dream 4 More Firm (Dream Store): http://www.dream4more.us/ and able to find the book where books are sold. You can follow or join the sites given too!

Roseanna White's "Jewel of Persia"

We're happy to have Roseanna M. White with us today talking about her book, Jewel of Persia.

Title: Jewel of Persia
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing

Cover blurb:How can she love the king of kings without forsaking her Lord of lords? Kasia grew up in a poor Jewish home with more siblings than luxuries. But when a chance encounter forces her to the palace of Xerxes, she becomes a concubine to the richest man in the world. She alone, of all Xerxes' wives, loves the man beneath the crown. She alone, of all his wives, holds the heart of the king of kings.
Traveling with Xerxes through Europe as he mounts a war against Greece, Kasia knows enemies surround her, but they’re not the Spartans or Athenians. The threat lies with those close to the king who hate her people. She determines to put her trust in Jehovah–even if it costs her her marriage.
Years of prayers are answered when Kasia's childhood friend arrives at the palace after the war, but even as she determines to see Esther crowned in place of the bloodthirsty former queen, she knows the true battle is far from over. How far will her enemies go to see her undone?
Combining the biblical account of Esther with Herodotus's Histories, Jewel of Persia is the story of a love that nearly destroys an empire . . . and the friendship that saves a nation.

1) How did this story come to you?
Well, as I was showering one morning I was trying to think of a way to turn my favorite Bible story—Esther—into a novel. But it had to be my kind of Biblical fiction, which means a fictional heroine. So as I debated and brainstormed, it hit me—what about all those other wives in the harem? What if one of them were also Jewish? Better still, what if one were Esther's childhood friend? And what if she was the favorite of the king before Esther arrived? And so Jewel of Persia was born.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Following the release of my first Biblical fiction last year, A Stray Drop of Blood, my agent recommended I follow it up with another bib-fic. I talked with my publisher about the possibility and my idea for an Esther story where Esther isn't the main character, and he was all in favor of it. So we chose a launch-date, set a deadline, and there you have it. =)

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Hmm . . . first, that I'm addicted to romance. When reading, I'm generally disappointed if a book doesn't have a strong romance line. Yet the two books I now have out aren't romance, though there's certainly love stories within. Second, that I'm addicted to email. My kids have so fractured my attention span that I've become unaccustomed to long periods of focused work time, and on those rare occasions I find some, I still interrupt myself constantly with email checks, otherwise I go a little crazy. And third . . . hmm, I don't think I have any other deep, dark secrets. ;-) But people are often surprised to learn that I got married at 18, to my high school sweetheart. We were going to college at the same place and married after our freshman year. This year will be our tenth anniversary, and we don't regret a thing! (Not that I advocate teen marriage for everyone, mind you, but we weren't your average teens . . .)

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
Right now I'm working on a story set in 1783-4 Annapolis, during those six months when it was the nation's capital. It's penciled into a publisher's 2012 schedule—nothing's in writing yet, but they'll want to see it very soon, and I need to get cracking on it! That may very well be my next book out. But if that falls through, WhiteFire has expressed interest in several other ideas I have that I could hammer out in the next few months, in time for a 2012 release.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks for having me! I love getting to know readers and fellow lovers of Christian fiction—and really love chatting with them. Feel free to ask questions, y'all—I'm happy to answer them!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.roseannamwhite.com/, and you can find there companion guides to my books, with all the fun historical facts—and where I diverge from them. My blog is http://www.roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/, where I have themed days 5 days a week. I'm a contributor at http://www.bellesandbuckskins.com/ too, which just launched. I'm also editor of http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/. And of course, look me up on Facebook!

Options for the winner:
I have a couple options for the winner. She can have her choice of A Stray Drop of Blood in digital or paperback, Jewel of Persia in digital now, or receive a paperback of Jewel of Persia as soon as I get them in a few months.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Register to win a $15 Bath & Body Works gift card

I'm really excited about The Zoe Mack Mystery series, which will debut on January 15. In celebration, I'll be giving away a $15 Bath & Body Works gift card. Please leave a comment on the Zoe Mack blog for your chance to win at http://www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com/.

Stay tuned for more giveaways!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Clash of the Titles & Cathy Bryant

Clash of the Titles, Where Authors Compete and Readers Judge

The literary website, Clash of the Titles, launched with a bang, and has increased in momentum ever since. They’ve had phenomenal authors, from historical romance writer, Lena Nelson Dooley to fantasy writer extraordinaire, Janalyn Voigt. Today Jennifer Slattery, Marketing Representative for Clash of the Titles, will highlight six COTT participants.

Cathy Bryant’s Texas Roads, was a hit, and her enthusiasm was contagious! "I love the concept behind Clash of the Titles, especially since it allows readers to see snippets of scenes from various authors. The book I chose to feature on COTT was Texas Roads, a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist and Book 1 in the Miller's Creek novels. The theme of the book is finding our spiritual "home" in Christ. For now, my earthly home is Texas. A Texas gal since birth, l live in a century-old Texas farmhouse with my hubby and a phobia-ridden cat."

In Texas Roads, city gal Dani Davis just wants to find a place to call home. Miller's Creek, Texas, with its country charm and quirky citizens seems like the perfect place to start over. Perfect, that is, except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town... Dani secretly finances renovations to downtown Miller's Creek, but malicious rumors force her to choose between keeping her involvement a secret and the home for which she's always longed. Then the discovery of an age-old secret propel her down a road she never expected to travel. Steve Miller is determined to save his dying hometown. When vandalism jeopardizes the Miller's Creek restoration project, he can't help but suspect Dani, whose strange behavior has become fodder for local gossips. Will Steve and Dani be able to call a truce for a higher cause, and in the process help Dani understand the true meaning of home?

You can find out more about Cathy and her writing at http://www.catbryant.com/, or purchase a copy of Texas Roads for yourself!

As you can see, we’ve had a great fall at Clash of the Titles and we are looking forward to an even better winter. Come join the fun at Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge!

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/

Clash of the Titles & Eleanor Gustafson

Eleanor Gustafson, author of The Stones: A Novel of King David, had a unique COTT experience. (lol) She said, “The whole COTT concept is dull and dreary…NOT!! This was a fresh approach, and some of my friends who participated really enjoyed the process. Hey, it looked like fun—which for me is one of the essentials of life—air, water, and fun (not necessarily in that order).”

But what surprised her most? “The tie vote! Was this an historic first—two clashers actually clashing on the number of votes?”

She goes on to say, “Some found my weather selection good but challenging to read. I could blame it on the necessity of disguising character names, but the David story is complex. It deals with ugliness but yes, glows with grace. AND The Stones makes the Bible version of David’s life come alive for most readers. Try it, and let me know—thumbs up or down. If you don’t believe me, check out the Amazon comments—all five star.”

The Stones is a retelling of King David s life from his teenaged anointing to his death as seen through the eyes of Asaph, a Levite historian. Fictional in scope, yet with amazing scriptural accuracy, The Stones provides a revealing, behind-the-scenes glimpse into biblical history with all the twists, turns, thrills, and romance of the world s great drama.

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/

Clash of the Titles & Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley, author of Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico competed in our Best Opening Hook Historical.

“I took part in the COTT because I felt it gave the author and readers another way to connect,” Lena said. “And it got our words in front of readers. I was pleased with the outcome and pray for its continued success. I was glad to haveLove Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, featured. This Heroine-in-Peril, Mail-Order-Bride-gone-awry story was a good fit. Readers have fallen in love with the secondary characters as well as the main characters in this historical.”

In Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico, Lena takes us back to an 1890, Golden New Mexico, mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride--despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip--and Jeremiah himself--the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.

You’re dying to know what happens next, aren’t you? Now you have two must have’s for your winter reading list! Visit Lena’s website and blog to find out more about her and her plethora of novels! http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/, http://www.lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/

Clash of the Titles & Gail Pallotta

Gail Pallotta competed in our best Weather/Nature category with her sweet e-book, Love Turns the Tide. “I was thrilled to have my excerpt chosen for Clash of the Titles,” Gail said. “It offered exposure for Love Turns the Tide in such a unique way. Even though putting one’s work up for voting is difficult, I liked the idea of letting the readers decide.”

In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and relocates to Destin, Florida to take a new job. Struggling to get over her heartache and loneliness, she tries to renew her faith in the midst of petty crimes committed at her condo. When Vic Deleona comes to her rescue, she grows fond of him. But she gets an offer to return home. Amid fear and confusion she must make difficult decisions.

Does her fear paralyze her? Cloud her judgment? Guess you’ve got another book to add to that rapidly growing list, don’t you? Find out more about Gail and her novel at her personal website, http://www.gailpallotta.com/ and her blog, http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/

Clash of the Titles & Shannon Vannatter

Shannon Taylor Vannatter was one of our first competitors and all of us at COTT applaud her support and courage. Her novel,White Doves, competed in the Best Opening Hook category on October 18th-22nd.

“I enjoyed being on COTT because I think it’s a unique way of introducing readers to new authors,” Shannon said. “And I love unique, focused blogs. I loved getting reader feedback and the experience made me pay even more attention to the opening of my books.”

Her opening was unique. “I had fun writing the opening of White Doves,” she said, “because it was a role reversal of the heroine checking out the hero for a change.”

Readers loved Shannon, and her competing novel, White Doves, as well! “I already want to see if anything develops between Laken and Hayden,” said one intrigued reader.

As did we! Laken Kroft, the heroine of White Doves, left home eight years ago and never looked back. Who knew when she applied for the promotion to postmaster that she’d end up in Romance, Arkansas, and move closer to her parents and the local gossip maven? But then she meets the dashing Hayden Winters who has his hands full raising his paraplegic nephew, Brady, and wrestling guilt over having caused the child’s injury. When the boy’s father, Laken’s brother, turns up, and starts talking custody, Laken’s influence is Hayden’s only hope. But who’s side is she really on? Will there mutual bond with the seven year old boy be enough to draw them closer or rip them apart?

I’m not telling! You’re going to have to read the book for yourself! Find out more about White Doves, Shannon, and read a few real life romance stories at http://www.shannonvannatter.com.

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com

Clash of the Titles & Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt likely had one of the most unique entries with her fantasy novel, Dawn Singer. She was excited to participate in COTT because she saw it as an excellent way to promote her upcoming release.

"With my book still awaiting its release date in Fall, 2011, participation in COTT helped me gear up for promotion,” Janalyn said. “I enjoyed having the COTT crew's help in getting the word out about DawnSinger, my epic fantasy adventure. My website received a surge of traffic the week of my clash, and I still get visitors from Clash of the Titles.”

We, at COTT, were very pleased to learn about Janalyn’s positive experience, which led to a special friendship between her and her competitor.

"I enjoyed the friendly rivalry between JoAnn Durgin, my competitor, and myself,” Janalyn said. “We've kept in touch. I worried I'd stress about competing but participating in Clash of the Titles was fun. I appreciated that we both lived with our stories for more than a decade before writing and placing them for publication. I believe that together we modeled perseverance for the readers of COTT.”

That is a great story, and a great reminder to us all. Perseverance pays off. We enjoy celebrating the finished product with our authors, and have been very pleased with the family atmosphere our site has created.

DawnSinger is the story of Nalyn, a young maiden who answers a summons to Torindan, High Hold of her people. Her companion, Spreil, must choose whether to reign and rule in his homeland or serve in Torindan. Ancient Prophecy requires Nalyn to release the Dawn King, and salvation, into Elderland by an impossible task. But first she must overcome her own wayward heart. Will she learn in time that sometimes victory only comes through surrender?

DawnSinger is another one of those “must reads”! Find out more about Janalyn and this captivating story at http://janalynvoigt.com, http://www.authorhaven.blogspot.com/ and her blog, http://www.bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/