Soldier's Heart by Tamera Lynn Kraft

Soldier's Heart

After returning home from the Civil War, will his soldier’s heart come between them?

Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.

But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?

Soldier’s Heart is available in e-book from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Reader, and Barnes & Noble Nook. It will also be available in paperback in a couple of months.

Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction because there are so many stories in history. Tamera has recently celebrated her thirty-fourth anniversary with her loving husband. She has two grown and married children and two grandchildren.

Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She is also a writer and has curriculum published including Kid Konnection 5: Kids Entering the Presence of God published by Pathway Press. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

You can contact Tamera online at her website: www.tameralynnkraft.net
Word Sharpeners Blog: http://tameralynnkraft.com and on Facebook: and Twitter.

Tamera Lynn Kraft has crafted a well-researched tale about the residuals of war and the lessons of patience for husbands and wives. Well done! ~ Mary Ellis, author of A Heart Divided.

~*~

In Soldier’s Heart, Tamera Lynn Kraft weaves an uplifting story of the healing power of love and restoration. The historical details add notable authenticity. You won’t want this story to end. ~ Ann Shorey, author of the Sisters at Heart series

Karen Wingate did a great interview with Tamera...
KW:    Tell us a little bit about the two main characters in Soldier's Heart.
TLK: Sergeant Noah Andrews is a soldier from the Ohio Seventh Regiment, one of the most heroic regiments from the Union Army. Because he signed up for a three year enlistment when the war began, he came home before the war ended. During the last battle, he suffered the loss of his entire squad. Now that’s he’s home in his small town of Ravenna, Ohio, he’s suffering from PTSD, called Soldier’s Heart back then. He loves his wife and is glad to be home, but he’s having a hard time putting the war behind him.

Molly Andrews has always been in love with Noah. That’s why she married him as soon as she turned sixteen years old. It didn’t matter that he would be going to war the next day. She knew their love would be enough. She struggled during the years he was away, worrying about him and keeping the farm going. But she knew that as soon as he got home, everything would be better. She wasn’t prepared to handle his bout with soldier’s heart.

KW: What is the setting and time frame for your book?
TLK: The setting is Ravenna, a small town in Northeast Ohio that still exists today. I grew up in Ravenna and had fun researching the history. Many of the downtown buildings of that time period are still standing today. The time frame is July, 1864 when the Ohio 7th comes home. The war is still going on, but Sherman’s march to the sea is in progress and it’s only a matter of time before the South surrenders.

KW: What gave the idea to write this particular book?
TLK: I wrote another novel about the Ohio Seventh and was fascinated by that regiment. When the publisher wanted me to write a novel set in 1864, I thought about what is was like for the men from that regiment, who had fought many major battles and suffered its greatest losses in the last battle, to come home before the war was over. I started researching PTSD from that time period, and it all came together. When deciding what town to set the story in, I thought it might be fun to research the town I grew up in since some of the men from the Seventh came from there.

KW:  Soldier's Heart is about a young man returning from the Civil War. It reminded me somewhat of the 1946 movie, "The Best Years of Our Lives." What can families and friends do to help soldiers return to everyday life after returning from a war front?
TLK: “The Best Years of Our Lives” is one of my favorite classic movies. I’ll never forget that haunting scene when the man who lost his arms has his girlfriend help him get ready for bed. I think one of the best things family and friends can do to help soldiers return to everyday life is to be patient. Let them reenter at their own pace. Don’t expect them to get over it right away. They need time and prayers.

KW: What can a church do to show grace and mercy to a returning soldier and his family?
TLK: That’s a good question. In Soldier’s Heart, Noah’s pastor helps him get through PTSD by counseling him about his thought life. I think spiritual counseling is something that is needed with a returning soldiers and their families. Of course, prayer and showing the love of Christ is also very important. I think one thing that is needed that is lacking is patience. Sometimes God miraculously heals, but most of the time, it takes a while.

Be sure to stop by Karen Wingate's blog, Grace on Parade, to see how God's grace is portrayed in Soldier's Heart.

Personally, I like reading light, fluffy books--romances that are tied all nice and pretty at the end with a bow. I'm an escapist at heart. Although Soldier's Heart is not my usual fare, it's very good and worth reading, with just enough romance to keep me happy. My heart ached for Noah and Molly and I came to understand a little more about PTSD and those who live with it. Kraft pulled me into the story with her characters and kept me reading. It's a novella I recommend.

Don't forget to pick up a copy from  Amazon Kindle!

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Spotlights

This week as I've been helping decorate our church for the Christmas season and program, I found myself in the spotlights a couple of times. Honestly. I was in the limelight. (Amazing, huh?!) My moments of glory came as I stood on the platform and looked for the next thing to do or listened to directions about bows and lights in the wrong place. LoL. That's as close to the lime lights as I wish to come, too! Those spotlights hurt the eyes! ;-)

But as I stood there in the spotlights I remembered I hadn't told you where the spotlights were and what's going on with them. This month the author spotlights are being hosted at Reflections in Hindsight. Come New Year's a new site is opening: The Barn Door Book Loft and it will be for author spotlights, interviews and book giveaways. I'll keep you posted, but it's gonna be a hopping site. =]

For now, here are the spotlights and book giveaways still open. Be sure to leave comments to be entered in the book giveaways!

Book Giveaways!

Enter to win A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant:

meet Cathy Bryant

Cathy Bryant interview

Enter to win Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis:

meet Mary Ellis

Mary Ellis interview

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with P. A. Baines

Welcome to Patterings, Paul!
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
For me that moment happened about thirteen years ago. I was looking for something I could do for God and I spent a lot of time in prayer. Not long after that, an idea for a Christian speculative novel started rattling around in my head and wouldn't go away. I decided to write it down and was surprised that it wasn't as dreadful as I thought it might be. It wasn't polished but I sent it out anyway. It was accepted by a well-known agency in New York but, although it "came close" (their words) they could not sell it. By then I was hooked and have been writing ever since.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
I am busy writing a humorous space opera called "Hanzet, the Universe, and Everything" which I am enjoying way too much. I enjoy writing humor because you get to have fun while you work. My favorite character in Hanzet has to be Malcolm, an ordinary Earth human six million years from now. His life revolves around television and food, until one day he gets caught up in an adventure that takes him to the farthest reaches of the universe. He is flawed but has a good heart and ultimately ends up saving the day in spite of his best efforts to avoid trouble.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I struggle to get started. I'm fine once the first few words hit the page, but I really have a problem with that first sentence. I get around this by reading a few lines from one of my favorite authors at which point the urge to write usually grabs me.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Alpha Redemption has two main characters. Brett is an astronaut taking part in a prototype mission to Alpha Centauri. Jay is the computer program that controls the ship. Although the story centers around Brett's physical and emotional journey, Jay stole the show for me. He is like an innocent child with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Brett treats him badly at first and I really found myself feeling sorry for Jay. One aspect of the story I enjoyed the most was exploring life and the human experience through the eyes of a computer.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Singing "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music on stage during a school play is probably the quirkiest thing I have ever done. This is for two reasons. Firstly, I am normally a shy person. Secondly, I cannot sing.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
I tend to like peace and quiet, so a trip into a busy town center is something I will try to avoid if at all possible. Filling in my annual tax return is something I dread and always end up leaving until the last minute. I find any kind of formal occasion a chore and will drag my feet when going to one of those (not so much dread as discomfort).

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Realistically or in my dreams? Well, maybe I'll settle for a mix of the two. Waking to the sound of birds singing on the first day of a long summer holiday. A blue sky on a warm day spent at the beach with my family followed by a barbeque under the stars. Later, on our return home, an envelope is waiting on the doormat containing a publishing contract for my latest novel. Add cheesecake in there somewhere and you have my perfect day.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I write Christian speculative fiction but don't read very much in the genre. I tend to look for any story that is well-written with a strong voice. The story is paramount to me, no matter what the genre. As an example of the kinds of books I like, I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Both of these stories pulled me in and made me think about life and my place in the world. I think a good story becomes part of you and changes you a little bit.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
I used to nibble a lot of biscuits when I first started writing. These days I don't nibble much when I write, but I do like to keep some mixed nuts and raisins handy.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I think redemption is a big theme for me. I am drawn to imperfect characters who believe but who have doubts about their faith. Life has pulled them away from God but He still has a plan for their lives. I like to show the unfolding of that plan as God reveals His perfect love. I don't identify with flawless characters because people like that do not exist in the real world. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, yet He is always faithful. This, to me, is an amazing thing.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Something He has been teaching me for a long time now is to trust Him, even when things seem to be going wrong. I used to think that, as a Christian, I should never have problems and that my life would go smoothly if only I prayed. Now I understand that what I think should happen and what God wants to happen do not necessarily agree. Through this I am learning to align my will with God's. I used to get irritated if something happened to break my daily routine. Now, instead of getting annoyed, I thank God for whatever the reason is for the delay. Simply put, I am learning to let God take the reins of my life and not fretting when we take a route I did not expect. I have a lot more peace now.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I have a finished novel that I hope to show to my publisher soon. It is called Hour and involves the discovery of another planet just like the Earth on the other side of the Sun. A team is sent to explore the planet where they discover a civilization caught up in a terrible ecological disaster and harboring a secret that has spiritual consequences for everyone on Earth. For this story I spent a lot of time and effort researching space travel to make it as authentic as possible, including reading through an actual Shuttle accident report. I like this story because it has an ending that I think many Christians will enjoy.

You can purchase Alpha Redemtion from Amazon:




P. A. Baines is giving away a copy of Alpha Redemtion. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 15th and check back on Tuesday, November 16th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with P. A. Baines. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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meet P. A. Baines

P.A. Baines is the author of Alpha Redemption, a Christian speculative fiction novel that asks the question: “If a man-made artificial intelligence became self-aware and developed a belief in God, would God recognize it as having a soul?”.

Educated in Africa, he works as an analyst/programmer and is studying towards a degree in Creative Writing through the Open College of the Arts in England.

He currently lives in a small corner of the Netherlands with his wife and two children and various wildlife.

You can find P. A. Baines at his website www.pabaines.com and on the blog newauthors.wordpress.com

 
Alpha Redemtion

From despair he fled, through tragedy he lived on, and journeyed to innocence.

His trajectory: the stars. His companion: a computer poised at the brink of sentience.

An unlikely friendship on a prototype spaceship at lightspeed towards Alpha Centauri, and redemption.







Here's an excerpt of Alpha Redemtion:

The ship loomed overhead, its shadow engulfing them. Its smooth white skin filled the window, slowly obscuring their view of the Earth as the elevator rose. It stopped, and pneumatic seals hissed and whirred into place. Brett followed the technician through the airlock, pausing only to get a final glimpse of the planet he would not see again for almost a decade. He craned his neck to get a look but the ship's hull now blocked his view. All he could see was a sliver of atmosphere and a handful of stars.

It was his first time inside The Comet, but he knew it intimately from months of training. They were in the cockpit but there were no instruments: no joystick or control console, or even a windscreen--at least not in the usual sense of the word. There was nothing for him to do other than get into the hyper-sleep chamber that crouched in the middle of the floor like a grotesque, mutated iron-lung. He climbed the steps, turning to look towards the open airlock while the technician helped him connect the hoses, checking and double-checking the seal around his mouth. His initial discomfort at having something attached to his face faded as he relaxed the way they had taught him in the swimming pool, focusing on breathing slowly and deeply.

He slid into the chamber and his legs, hips, torso and chest became weightless in the clinging embrace of the syrupy goo. It covered his head and he opened his eyes, blinking uncomfortably into the yellow haze. He knew it was vital to immerse the eyes; they had stressed that many times. Remember to open them wide and have a good look around.

He could see the airlock from here, and the technician, now an amorphous blob, moving around the front of the bath, back and forth, back and forth. Brett felt a shudder as the lid closed and sealed over his head. A vague fear surfaced in the deepest recesses of his mind—what if. . .? then vanished again like a puff of breath on a chilly autumn morning.

The technician disappeared through the airlock, leaving Brett alone in his bath, breathing filtered air through a hose, listening to the muted sounds of the ship as it prepared to launch him towards an impossibly distant point of light.

In his dream-like cocoon, Brett could sense very little. Everything seemed muted and far away. He heard distant hisses, cavernous booms, and the ghostly shriek of metal on metal. Vibrations passed through the liquid and nudged at his body as if to alert him to some impending danger.

He could see the hoses drifting. His legs floated like odd-shaped creatures in a yellow sea. Then the vibrations stopped and there was no sound other than his heart beating softly in his ears. The taste of the air being fed to him through his mouthpiece changed. It reminded him of something. Was it watermelon? He could not remember the last time he had eaten a watermelon. He could not remember the last time he had seen a watermelon. Maybe they were extinct. Like dinosaurs. Hit by an asteroid; drowning in the mud; arms too short to take out the seeds. . .

Brett became aware that he was no longer thinking clearly, but that was fine. He watched his thoughts tumbling along like pretty little shards of plastic in a kaleidoscope, tumbling, tumbling, ever changing, never the same picture twice.

And at some point--he did not know exactly when--his thoughts faded as darkness washed over him and he slipped into hyper-sleep.

You can purchase Alpha Redemtion from Amazon:




P. A. Baines is giving away a copy of Alpha Redemtion. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 15th and check back on Tuesday, November 16th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with P. A. Baines. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Alice K. Arenz

Welcome to Patterings, Alice! 
Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
It happened when my husband (now ex) said I needed to stop filling all our notebooks with partial manuscripts and finish something, or decide to be serious about writing and learn how to do it properly. That’s when I started getting Writer’s Digest Magazine and compiling info to write and submit.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
I love all my books – each of them are just a bit different, with the Bouncing Grandma Mystery series, which are cozies (The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, The Case of the Mystified M.D.), TOTALLY different from my serious mystery/romantic suspense that I usually write (Mirrored Image, which releases Oct. 1)

Glory Harper, the “Grandma” in the Bouncing Grandma books, is a total nut, and I can’t help but love her and the other characters. But Cassandra Chase and Detective Jeff McMichaels from Mirrored Image have been living so long in my imagination that they have become a part of me in a way only another writer could understand.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Not wasting time – but that’s my major obstacle whether I’m writing or not. As for overcoming it . . . I guess I’m a work in progress. ;)

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Um . . . Lynette Sandler. I wouldn’t say she “interested me most,” but she was certainly intriguing. Lynette dies at the beginning of the book, but without her murder--and the subsequent discoveries made as the book progresses, you’d definitely lose a lot.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Or what is your strangest habit?
Became a writer. I think that’s pretty quirky.

I have a touch of OCD, so I have a routine I go through every day before I can start writing—checking email, playing a few games of Spider Solitaire while it downloads, and such. I’m trying to break the “need” for this, but without a lot of success so far.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Um, yep, there are. Sometimes my OCD comes in handy.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A day I could spend with my family—husband, kids, grandkids—without having to think about going back home and resuming the same old same old.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Mystery, suspense, thriller, historical, time travel (this fascinates me). But if the book is good, it doesn’t make any difference what genre it is!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Nope. If the words are flowing, I don’t even want to take a break to eat!

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
The necessity of forgiveness crops up a lot in my writing, as does the power of good over evil—though it sometimes seems like evil triumphs for a while, there is always hope and faith. I don’t know that I deliberately put these in my books, but I know they’re in them.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
As I said earlier, I’m a work in progress, so I feel I’m constantly learning. Mostly, though, it’s that I need to listen more to Him and not think I can do “it” on my own. I KNOW this already, but sometimes He has to shake me to get my attention.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Mirrored Image officially releases Oct.1st. It’s a mystery/romantic suspense, with the most awesome cover!

Thanks so much for having me here today! If you’re interested in finding out more about me, go to www.akawriter.com or www.sheafhouse.com. My books can be ordered at any bookstore and online at www.amazon.com, www.christianbook.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and most online book sellers.

You can purchase Mirrored Image from CBD, Barnes and Noble and Amazon:



Alice Arenz is giving away a copy of Mirrored Image. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 8th and check back on Tuesday, November 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Alice. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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meet Alice K. Arenz

Alice K. Arenz, author of October 2010 suspense Mirrored Image, has been writing since she was a child. Her earliest publication was in the small, family-owned newspaper where her articles, essays, and poems were frequently included.

In the mid-nineties, her writing earned her a stint with a well-known New York literary agency, and although it failed to produced the hoped for results, her determination to become published eventually led her to Sheaf House.
 
Arenz also writes cozy mysteries under A.K. Arenz. The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, 2008, was a finalist in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest. The second in the Bouncing Grandma Mystery Series, The Case of the Mystified M.D., 2009, was the February 2010 ACFW Book Club choice, and also won the 2010 ACFW Carol Award for Mystery.

She lives in Missouri with her husband and two Himalayan cats.
You can find Alice online at www.akawriter.com and www.sheafhouse.com

Here is the back cover of Mirrored Image:

Eccentric newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase and by-the-book Detective Jeff McMichaels clash over the murder investigation of Lynette Sandler - a woman who looks eerily like the popular columnist.

The uncanny similarities of the two women's lives and a rash of attacks on Cassie, lead her to the conclusion that she, not Lynette Sandler, was the murderer's original mark.

For McMichaels, the Sandler case becomes more than just a test of his mental acumen. Despite departmental regulations and his own common sense, he finds himself drawn to a woman he was determined to dislike. But can he keep her alive long enough for their relationship to grow?

Here's an excerpt of Mirrored Image:

A dull ache near the center of her back accompanied the gradual return of consciousness. What began as a hot, searing pain was now a nondescript thudding, like an overactive pulse point.

She tried to focus on her surroundings, to move, but her limbs remained frozen to the floor where she had fallen.

A sudden onslaught of memory brought back the shock and horror of the cold steel blade plunging into her flesh. She closed her eyes and fought the vomit rising in her throat. She would not be sick, could not allow such an indignity.

She knew she was dying, could feel her life force drain from her as the blood oozed from the wound in her back. There was no fear of death; it would be a welcome release into the arms of friends waiting on the other side—friends who had not betrayed her.

Betrayal, treachery, and deceit. Ugly words for an even uglier deed that conjured images of the man who accepted thirty pieces of silver to deliver his Lord into the hands of His enemies.

Tears of anger and resentment stung her eyes as rage over the act of disloyalty spurred a primal instinct geared toward survival.

The person who violated her must be punished.

You can purchase Mirrored Image from CBD, Barnes and Noble and Amazon:


Alice Arenz is giving away a copy of Mirrored Image. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 8th and check back on Tuesday, November 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Alice. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Michelle Sutton

Welcome to Patterings, Michelle. Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
I had found Cynthia Rutledge on the internet and contacted her as a fan. She was my favorite Love Inspired author at the time. She wrote pretty hot and interesting inspirationals and told me how she got started. I thought if she could do it, so could I. But without God continuing to inspire me, I would have dropped out long ago. There are a lot of things to discourage authors in this world, so without God behind me (and my husband and kids) I'd be sunk.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Honestly, they are all fun in there own way. And like any mother, my latest baby is my favorite, but I love them all. So First Love is high on my list. It's edgy and risky regarding the topic and subject matter, but it's all from my heart.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Discouragement is definitely high on the list. I just call one of my writing buddies on the phone and ask them to tell me I don't suck as an author and to remind me why I am even doing this. They always have just the right words to say. I also read reviews people have written that are truly heart-felt. That always gives me more creative energy.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Probably Tara, because she was a responsible and loving character who wanted to do the right thing but had a weakness for Josiah resulting from some past insecurities. She was so real I kept forgetting she was created in my imagination.

What is your strangest habit?
I don't know how strange this is but I usually read at least five books at the same time and I have books in every room in my house. I even have books at my office.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
When it comes to writing? Not really. I only write when I get the muse. If I force myself to do it then it is no longer enjoyable to me… Wait! I just thought of something. Paying taxes on my earnings. Yeah, I tend to drag my feet on that and wait until late March to send it in.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
Eating calorie free (but scrumptious) chocolate while writing the most amazing novel ever that was sure to hit the best-seller's list, and all of this to celebrate signing my latest six figure digit deal with a large publishing house. (You didn't say it had to be achievable, right? So my dream-fantasy is outlined above.)


Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I tend to favor historical romances over all others. I also enjoy contemporary romances. It just has to be original and fresh. Interesting is always good. Sizzlings gives it more weight. I am a romantic at heart, so it's hard to avoid favoring those types of books. However, I have been known to enjoy books that are not in any way romantic. They have to be really good, though, and hold my attention. Not an easy task…

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Not really, but water and coffee are always good. Plus, if I drink enough of them both I am forced to take occasional breaks and go to the bathroom, which is necessary to prevent me from getting so stiff I can't move after typing for hours on end.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
Redemption and forgiveness are my favorite themes. I like to wreck my characters' lives and then show how God binds their wounds and carries them through some of their hardest trials. When everything looks bleak, that's when God's love shines the brightest.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
That I need to write the stories He has inspired me to write without worrying about how to justify things if asked. Fortunately I haven't been challenged by people very much at all (no puritanical folks condemning me to hell for story content so far.) Also, not to worry about selling more books. God is taking care of me and I've got books releasing through 2012 so there is no rush. He is teaching me the beauty of patience.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
First Love releases in October 2010 (e-book)
Letting Go (Sheaf House) releases in Feb 2011
First Response releases in June 2011 (e-book)
Their Separate Ways releases in July 2011
Finding Love releases in Sept 2011
Keeping Promises releases in Feb 2012
Untitled releases in July 2012
Moving On releases in Sept 2012
Also, please check my website books page for current release dates.

You can purchase First Love from Amazon:



Michelle Sutton is giving away a copy of First Love. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 1st and check back on Tuesday, November 2nd to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Michelle. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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meet Michelle Sutton

Michelle Sutton is an inspirational author who has written over a dozen novels. When she is not writing, she is working full time as a social worker.

She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and an avid blogger/book reviewer the rest of the time.

Michelle is the wife of a wonderful man and the mother of two college students. She resides with her family in Arizona.

You can find Michelle online at her website www.michellesutton.net and her blog
www.edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

First Love

Josiah and Tara had enjoyed acting in their high school plays. They had also been each other's first lover... in fact; most of the time they'd spent together had been in Tara's bed. When Josiah became a Christian, he left Tara to go to college and didn't look back.

Four years later, Josiah is back in town when his father has a near-fatal heart attack. When they meet up again they realize how much their separation had hurt each of them. But now Tara is a Christian and is trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Josiah wants Tara back, but neither knows how to relate to each other without the physical intimacy they once shared. They are determined to do things right this time, but find it more challenging than they'd anticipated.


Here's an excerpt of First Love:

She hated to spell it out for him, but it seemed necessary to prevent him from getting the wrong idea. "You're here for a haircut. Don't expect more."

Raising his hands in mock surrender, Josiah chuckled, "Whoa, there. I didn't mean anything by it, I swear."

"Good." Grabbing the black cloth to drape over his shirt, she flipped it open and then pointed to the chair. He sat and she tied it around his neck, a stress headache creeping into her head. Irritation shredded her nerves. Rather than sitting, he peered at her with an incredulous look in his eyes.

"Come on," she winced and touched her forehead. "I don't have much time."

"Aren't you gonna..." Josiah pointed at his hair and nodded toward the sink.

"No." She snapped the cloth again. "Just sit."

"But, that's the best part." Ruffling his hair with both hands, he sighed. "All right, but my hair is sweaty and dusty. I think it'll be easier to cut if it's clean first. I'll even pay you extra."

Did he think he could buy her forgiveness?

But he did have a point. Taking in the faint cloud of dust forming beside his head as he ruffled his hair, Tara sighed. She rolled her eyes and pointed at the sink with her elbow. "All right, all right. Just hurry up. I need to get home."

Josiah crept in slow steps and glanced over his shoulder. Tempted to push him along, she refrained, deciding the less hands-on contact she had with him the better. Maybe that was what he wanted. To get her riled. Well, it was working.

The sooner she cut his hair and sent him on his way, the sooner she'd have time to think about what his return to town might mean. While tempted to quit the acting group to avoid seeing him, she refused to run away. Besides, playacting the part of a socialite at special events in town was the only fun hobby she allowed herself. She refused to give up her only link to acting.

No, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of quitting. She'd keep playing the part and enjoy every minute of it. No man would take the fun out of her life ever again. Not even someone as devastatingly handsome and as important to her as Josiah had once been.

You can purchase First Love from Amazon:




Michelle Sutton is giving away a copy of First Love. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 1st and check back on Tuesday, November 2nd to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Michelle. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Deanna Klingel

Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
I think that happened so many years ago, I don't remember. I have always enjoyed writing and always believed "someday" I would write seriously. Raising 7 children and moving every 2 years, I couldn't wrap myself up in it. But, now, I can. One day I got up, went to the computer and said "today is the day." I started writing Rebecca and Heart. That book went to the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2008 and 2009 and generated a lot of interest, but, in the end, it didn't get picked  up. This year it was acquired as an ebook on Storyrealm.com. Then I began Avery and Gunner. The first book went to Bologna in 2009 and a major publisher wanted it and wanted film rights, so that was pretty exciting. I did all the revisions they asked, learned a lot, and after about 18 months, they decided not to take it. I learned just this week that Avery and Gunner 1861-1865 is going to contract with Journey Forth Publishing in Greenville, SC.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Hmm. Honestly? Everything I write is fun. Otherwise, why bother. Everything is new, interesting, and I love research. That's probably why I enjoy historical fiction. But, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog, was a giggle and lots of fun. ( Released Sept. 2010). My children's books have all been fun. I love to write short stories and have won some contests, that's always fun. But, I guess, I'd have to say that I have the most fun learning quirky history.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
That's like asking which is the favorite child or which dog I love most. Avery is like my son. I know him. I admire him. I love him. I brought him into this world! Rebecca, a sweet autistic child of God; I'm so glad I got to meet her. She, too, is fiction. But my fiction characters tell me their stories. I don't fit them into mine.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
My most difficult obstacle is not telling the historical base. I've learned that the best approach for me is to go ahead and tell it. Write it like a history book as clearly, factually, and succinctly as possible. When I'm happy with it, then I chop it up, rewrite it dialogue, put in the contractions, make it informal, and decide which character wants to say which part. This was a huge challenge for me when writing Bread Upon the Water. This is a true story of a boy who left Vietnam as a "boat person" because he wanted to be a priest. There is so much background that middle schoolers wouldn't know that's important to the story. It was a challenge to incorporate it into the story, when it could be a story all by itself. (That manuscript is looking for a home.) The Vietnamese are quiet people and they wouldn't have talked about these history making events. Tien, my character and true life friend, doesn't use contractions. His speech is very formal as all his family is. But, publishers would call that stilted and not realistic, difficult to read. Editors would change it, so I might as well start out that way, right? But, since I know the sound of Tien's voice, writing it a different way was difficult.
The characters in my new release are many. It's multi-charactered. That's because this book, Just for the Moment, isn't about a character, and it's really not about the dogs either. It's about moments. It's about those beautiful moments when the therapy dog reaches a human soul and makes a difference, even if it's just for that moment. I've loved all the people my dogs have touched, and some of them really are characters in a real sense. They are all interesting, real people.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Oh, dear. I think you should ask my husband. I know a lot of people think dancing with a dog is quirky. We belong to WCFO, World Canine Freestyle Organization. Freestyle is dog dancing. Hmm. That does sound a bit quirky doesn't it. Yeah, costumes,sequins, music, tadah.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
No. I schedule them as early in the morning as I can. I get it over with. I don't do well with dread hanging over me. Just do it and get on with life.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A perfect day would look like the one I'm looking at today. It's an incredible morning here in the mountains. My desk is in the loft of our log house and the wall is a window. I can see the clear sky, the changing leaves, wildlife and birds. My dogs are curled at my feet. I'm getting ready to send Bread Upon the Waters to a couple more houses. My husband is walking down the driveway towards the house. Why's he coming home this morning? This is shaping up perfectly.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read all the time. I read lots of different things because I belong to two bookclubs. Last year I took college classes at Brevard College. I took YA/Lit and we read 9 novels. It was a wide range and a real stretch for me.( I'm called a nontraditional student. That means I'm older than the professor.) We read a graphic novel and a science fiction which I would never have read on my own. My favorite of those 9 was The Book Thief, least favorite was Looking for Alaska, which gagged me. I just finished reading Galway Bay. It's absolutely stunning, so well crafted. I rank it up there with Vanishing Point, another beautiful book. I've also recently enjoyed Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. My all-time favs always turn out to be historical fiction.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
That's funny. I don't really like food too much. If I didn't need it to live, I'd opt out of meals. But, when I was taking the Smoky Mountain Writers Class last spring, one of the women there said, with a perfectly straight face, that her advice to writers was this: "Whenever writers are feeling stress...either too much, or not enough...you should always, always, eat chocolate." I try to remember that.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
The spiritual themes I like to write about has mostly to do with the innate goodness of  people, the spirit that drives them. I like to write about people who find their strength in their faith. That would be Avery, and it would be Tien.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Patience. Humility. Writing takes both. I think that's why the Lords' time for me to write is this late in my life. The early me was in a great hurry, on a tight schedule (for 12 people in the household!) and I couldn't have waited for a book to take five years. I think I would have taken critique hard and personal. It would have been discouraging. At this point in my life, I have nothing to prove, I'm very confidant, I love to learn new things, and I love to see my writing improve. Yes, I'd say patience and humility; He's been working on me for a lot of years getting me ready for this phase in my life.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog released in September. It's my first manuscript between covers and I'm very excited about it. Now I'm busy marketing and I'm enjoying that, too. Rebecca and Heart and Beth's Backyard Friends went live on September 8 on Storyrealm.com. Avery and Gunner are just going to contract, so I don't know the release date, probably 2012. I hope to find a home for Bread Upon the Water in the next months. I've got two children's stories out and about: Amanda's Magic, and Walker Hound of Park Avenue. Their day will come.
If you'd like to find Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog you can find it at Indie Book Stores and www.therapydogstories.com, www.Dogwise.com, and book chains.
Thank you, this has been fun. Deanna


Deanna Klingel is giving away a copy of Just For the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 25th and check back on Tuesday, October 26th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Deanna. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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meet Deanna Klingel

Deanna K. Klingel lives with her husband (48 years but who's counting) and two golden retrievers, Lily and Jessie, in the beautiful western North Carolina mountains, which is often referred to as God's country. Deanna and Dave have 7 grown children and 10 grands.

She is a member of North Carolina Writer’s Network, Society of Childrens’ Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Royal Scribblers of Cashiers.

You can find Deanna online at her website www.therapydogstories.com and at www.booksbydeanna.com




Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog by Deanna Klingel is a poignant, yet sweetly humorous spiritual journey into the therapy dog ministry of Lily and Jessie, two Golden Retrievers who visit health care facilities.


Steven Manchester says, "In many years of editing, dozens and dozens of manuscripts, this one is among the top three."




Here's an excerpt of Just For the Moment:

Calla's Valentine Lily of the Valley

I located a breeder on the AKC website that had puppies on the ground. I e-mailed her and we made arrangements to visit. Lily was one of ten beautiful puppies, six weeks old. But, in my Lyme Fog, typical of the disease, I hadn’t really grasped “puppy.” I was saying “puppy,” but when I was greeted at the door by a beautiful, smiling 67 pound golden, it was love at first sight. This was the puppy I wanted; she was the dog I’d been dreaming about. The breeder thought I was kidding, of course.

“Well, if you like this dog, I’ll show you which puppy is for you. I have a little female that is exactly like her mother at this age in looks, behavior, and temperament.”

I was blown away. Puppy? Oh–a puppy! The lovely dog at the door was the puppy’s mother, not for sale. A puppy… that’s right, puddles on the floor, shoes chewed, painful nips on the ankles. Oh, my gosh, what have I done? Puppies are little! I wanted a dog like Candy that I could lean into and hug. I really hadn’t gotten my Lyme-fogged brain around “puppy” until now. But it didn’t take long for the fear to subside and for love to take over. We went back to Virginia to get her when she was ten weeks old and brought her home to the mountains forever. She was born on Valentine’s Day and became ours on Easter weekend. We call her Lily.

Lily did piddle on the floor a couple of times. She did chew up Dave’s brand new shoe. And she did make me cry out in pain with her puppy teeth. But she learned very quickly. I look back at those puppy days now and realize that she has been a therapy dog all her life. She began as a puppy to know not to trip or nip. She never pushed through a door, raced on the stairs, dragged, or jumped on me, and never got on the bed. She was always beside me where I could reach her. She watched me and she figured out a lot of things that I didn’t know she’d need to know later on. She made my convalescing days a sweet time of bonding and learning.

As I got stronger and more determined to have fun with my dog, we took obedience classes, agility training, (where I fell down a few times), and canine freestyle (dancing) classes. With nice manners she easily passed her Canine Good Citizen test. I think it had more to do with her mother dog’s example and early training than her training with me.

I didn’t really know yet what therapy dog was all about, but it crept into our lives, and she passed the Therapy Dog International certification test with flying colors. Knowing how much she had done for my own recovery, I wanted to share her with others who might benefit from her gentle presence at their bedside. And so began her ministry as a therapy dog.

You can purchase Just For the Moment from Deanna's website www.therapydogstories.com

Deanna Klingel is giving away a copy of Just For the Moment. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 25th and check back on Tuesday, October 26th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Deanna. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Leanna Ellis

Tell us about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue writing and eventually publication.
Once upon a time, I was a teacher but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do forever. I was trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do when my sister suggested I start writing, “because I was always scribbling in a journal.” That seed took root and grew. And at the end of the school year, I quit teaching to become a writer. So writing was never a hobby for me. From there it’s been a long journey of almost twenty years. Quite an adventure!

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
Whichever book I’m writing is usually the one that is the most fun. Facelift was difficult for me to write because I needed to start writing it the month after my father passed away. In a way, I was walking a path similar to Kaye’s in the book because I had to choose joy. I also needed an emotional facelift. So I think in going through that it actually helped me to write it.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
In writing Facelift, it was sitting myself in a chair and getting the words to come, being patient and not forcing them, just enticing them onto the page. Quite often staring at the blank page is more difficult for me. I actually like the rewriting process better. Once there are words on the page, I can maneuver them and fix them, rearrange or even delete. But a blank page…that’s so hard!

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
That’s a tough question because the different characters all kept my interest. Marla was probably the first character that came to me. She’s the ex-mother-in-law who has a botched facelift. But Kaye’s resilience intrigued me. And then there was Jack. I kept learning new and interesting things about him. Loved him! But then there was Cousin It. She was a ton of fun because I used a lot of experiences from my labradoodle puppy, The Hilo Monster (as we affectionately call her).

 What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
That’s another tough one. I don’t think of myself as quirky but I must be because I come up with pretty quirky characters, including the book I’m writing right now—an Amish/vampire book. That may be just plain wacky!

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?
Marketing. Marketing is hard for me. It’s way, way, way out of my comfort zone, more like the Twilight Zone.

What would a perfect day for you look like?
A few weeks ago, I experienced one of those perfect days. I was in Kauai with my family. I woke up early, long before my husband or children did, and I wrote a few pages on a proposal while sitting out on the lanai and listening to the surf. Then when they woke up, we went for breakfast then to the beach for sun and snorkeling. Later that afternoon, I was lying in a hammock, listening to the surf (again!), watching the waves roll in and reading. It was a perfect day.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m very eclectic in my reading. I read books with my kids, so anything from children’s and YA, which is often fantasy, to Amish to literary to NY Times best sellers, from romance to thrillers. I like a wide assortment of books. I even love to read biographies. Those are fascinating!

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
If I allow myself: peanut M&Ms. But I try to restrain myself on that.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I usually just write whatever the character needs but I will say perfectionism has come up a couple of times. But the books were completely different.

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
Trust. And little baby steps with that. But He is so faithful and loving in His teaching. I’m also in the middle of studying Daniel, which has been a wonderful study and has in so many ways mirrored what I wrote about in Facelift.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
Facelift releases October 1st! After that, Forsaken, the first book of the Plain Fear series, which is my Amish/vampire book, releases August 2011. Then True Grits, a B&H release, comes out September 2011.
Thanks so much, Patty, for having me here! Blessings to you and your readers.


You can purchase Facelift from CBD, for your Kindle and from Amazon:


Leanna is giving away a copy of Facelift. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 18th and check back on Tuesday, October 19th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Leanna Ellis. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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meet Leanna Ellis

‘Leanna Ellis takes a back seat to no one,’ says Debbie Macomber.

But Leanna hopes she allows God in the driver’s seat as she taxies her two children to and from all their activities, lets her menagerie of pets in and out … in and out ..., figures out what to cook for dinner (or where to order takeout), and at the same time keeps those wacky characters in her head from bothering others.

Winner of the National Readers Choice Award, Leanna writes quirky women’s fiction along with an upcoming Amish/vampire series, now that’s wacky!

You can find Leanna online at her website www.leannaellis.com


 

Facelift

A ‘can do’ kind of woman runs her own business, raises her teenage daughter, and takes care of her ex-mother-in-law after a botched facelift. But Kaye learns a facelift is more than skin deep. Joy is more than tacking on a happy face. It's relying on her sovereign God who has a plan for her life.
Facelift…it’s more than skin deep.




Here's an excerpt of Facelift:

Once upon a time implies a fairy tale is about to unfold, something lush and grand and mythical, something with a happy ending. But the brothers Grimm had a twisted sense of humor and, as it turns out, “once upon a time” is actually literary gobbledygook for “impending doom.”1

They weren’t called Grimm for nothing.

In tale after tale, “once upon a time” invariably precedes certain disaster. Just ask Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty. They’ll back me up on this. Those innocuous few words are the harbinger of cursing fairies, parental fatalities and death marches into dark forests for the near perfect princesses. Not that I consider myself a fairy princess by any stretch of the warped imagination, or even remotely close to perfect, but like those fair, aforementioned ladies, my own story begins with “once upon a time.”

If I’d only been given a five-minute warning.

Doom comes to call for me on a warm autumn day, when the grass is still green and a slight breeze ruffling the yet-to-turn-brown leaves. No letter from the IRS arrives. No mammogram shows an area of concern. God doesn’t send a lightning bolt to strike my house. The announcement comes in the form of Darth Vader’s theme song amplified in the confines of my Volvo. The ominous tune marches out of my cell phone with determination and self-importance, the perfect reflection of the one calling, and prickles the hairs at the base of my neck.

To download the first chapter of Facelift, visit Leanna's website.



You can purchase Facelift from CBD, for your Kindle and from Amazon:


Leanna Ellis is giving away a copy of Facelift. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 18th and check back on Tuesday, October 19th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Leanna Ellis. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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with Lena Nelson Dooley

Welcome back to Patterings, Lena!

What would a perfect day for you look like?
My perfect day would be spent doing what God had planned for me that day. So I have a lot of perfect days. My husband is usually a large part of that day. Often my children or grandchildren are involved.

I really like to travel, so when we’re traveling, I’m very happy. And when I get to spend time with other authors, it’s a real plus.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
My husband used to be a truck driver. About 25 years ago, he was gone for a couple of days. At that time, I used a pressure cooker fairly often. I had cooked Swiss steak for the family dinner. After the pressure went down, I couldn’t get the pan open. After trying for quite a while, I called the police station and asked if a policeman could come by the house and open my pressure saucepan. They sent one out right away, and my family had dinner that night.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite?
When people ask me things like that, I always say the book I’m working on right now is my favorite. I haven’t written a book I didn’t like. And I love the characters God gives me to write about.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote?
In Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, I loved all the characters, but since Jeremiah was the one who had the most spiritual growth, I found him very interesting.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I have very eclectic reading tastes—historical, contemporary, romance, suspense, some speculative fiction. However, I’m not really interested in reading horror or dark spirits.

Are there certain foods or snacks keeps the words flowing for you?
Chocolate, especially dark. Or M&Ms.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
I write about redemption, trusting God, forgiveness. Things like that

What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or recently taught you?
To completely trust Him for everything in my life. This is an ongoing lesson.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?
I just signed a contract for a 3-book historical series set in 1885 about triplets born on the last wagon train west that were separated at birth.

Thank you for being with us today, Lena!
Lena is giving away a copy of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, October 11th and check back on Tuesday, October 12th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on yesterday's spotlight with Lena. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.

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