Would You Like to Win a Book? (Subscriber Drive)

Would You Like to Win a Book? 

I'm running a subscriber drive. I've almost finished a proposal for a new book that I'm hoping to win a contract for, and I'd love to show my new publisher that I've got a good reading audience. For this reason, I'd like to DOUBLE my subscriber list.. To automatically WIN a FREE book from me, send five people to subscribe to my website mailing list AND this blog, Woman of Faith.  They will need merely to enter their email address on the pop-up form on my website AND one of the forms on the right side of this blog. 

Anyone can subscribe, but only US residents can win a free book for recommending friends (Sorry). Five friends may seem like a lot, but I know you can do it! Besides, I'm giving you a book for your efforts. If you've already enjoyed my work, you'll have one to give away as a gift.  Books make excellent gifts and mine will particularly appeal to most any woman in your life. (Men, too, have reported enjoying my books, so don't be afraid to ask men to subscribe, or to give them a copy!)

How Does It Work? 

Use my email template below to make this easy. You'll  recommend me to your friends, assuring them that I won't spam or otherwise cause  regret for joining me.  When you send your email to your list, copy me in on it, so I'll know who sent them when/if they subscribe. Include your full mailing address at the bottom of your email so I can mail out a book to you. If five of your friends don't subscribe you won't get a book, so be sure to encourage them to do so!  Below is a suggested message you can use (simply copy and paste it into the body of your email) to make this even simpler. 

What Will You Receive?

I have enough books to award about 200 of you with a free one. I won't guarantee which of my books you'll receive, but again, if it turns out to be something you've read, you'll now have a brand-new, autographed copy to find its way beneath someone's Christmas tree, or to a birthday celebration, etc. If you receive Before the Season Ends, you'll have a book to give away that even includes the gospel message!

Why Am I Giving Away My Books?

I've been doing less speaking and teaching lately, as I obey the Lord's promptings to focus on my family.  This means my books aren't moving the way they used to, which would be okay except that we're also prayerfully preparing for a possible out-of-state move. I love having books on hand for when I do events, but I'd like to clear out the boxes before we have to fill the moving truck! 

Something Else

My regency trilogy  is officially "out of print." This means you can pick up a used copy at a low price RIGHT NOW--but eventually these used copies will peter out and then the books will be scarce. Who knows? You may be getting a book in its first edition that will become valuable some day, especially considering you're getting it brand new and autographed. (I don't mean this as, MY books must become valuable! It's just that regency readers are notable book collectors. When they like a book, they keep it and talk about it. For a long time. When new readers go looking for one of my books, you'll have one!)

Who Should I Invite?

Think of people you know who are intelligent and enjoy books. Please don't ask those who are seldom online or won't open email. (Since I write for ages 12-99, this should be easy!)

Here's an email template: 

(Either download the doc using this link, or copy and paste this into the email you send your friends/family/reading buddies, etc.)

Hello!

I just wanted to let you know that an author I like is running a subscriber drive, and giving away free books as an incentive. Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance. Her books are good clean fun-- and historically accurate. She's asking me to send five friends her way to subscribe to her quarterly email newsletter, and her blog, Woman of Faith. (You don't have to be a woman to enjoy either, by the way!) If I get her five more subscribers, I win a book! It's that simple.

Linore won't spam you, share your email, or otherwise pester you--she promises! If you'll subscribe to these two venues (her website and blog) I will win a free copy of one of her books, and I'd love that! Also, once you subscribe, you can send five people her way and win a book, too!
Subscribe to these two places: (You must join BOTH for me to get a book)

1.Linore Burkard's website (http://www.LinoreBurkard.com.  A pop-up form will appear. Enter your email)
2. Woman of Faith Blog (http://todayswomanoffaith.blogspot.com. Enter your email into the box on the right side.) And that's it!

Also, since I need five people to subscribe to win a book, could you please let me know  if you've become a subscriber? (Just hit reply and say "I've subscribed!"  And if you choose not to, I'll need to know so I can invite other friends!)

Thanks so much for helping me win a book! I honestly think you'll enjoy Linore's beautifully illustrated newsletters full of historical tid-bits, and her blog has book reviews, recommendations, devotions, news-alerts and even recipes!  

Click the links above to subscribe, and thanks again!

(Your name)

 (Your full mailing address, for me, since you've copied me in on the email.)

 

(You can include this graphic in your email if you like!)

 One Last Thing

If you're interested, you can request my very first book, which is the print-on-demand version of, Before the Season Ends. (I can honor this request as long as copies last.) If you're a writer and have the Harvest House edition, you may find it worthwhile to see the changes that were made before they took the book to print. Many of the changes were done by me, but some of them were done by Harvest House editors.  If you've considered (or are considering) self-publishing, you'll have a "before" and "after" copy of one book to compare versions. Notice what changes were made and ask yourself, Why? Did the change improve the book? What can I learn here for my own writing? 

I'll share updates on the subscriber drive here on the blog as well as in my next newsletter which I hope to have in your in-box before the end of the month. In the meantime, send out those emails and let me send you a free book!

Gratefully Yours,

Linore

 BEFORE YOU GO:

Below is a re-post from something I wrote for Tiffany Amber Stockton's blog recently, which, if you haven't already seen, I thought you'd enjoy.

Authors are (Imperfect) Mommies, Too!

Me with my two oldest girls, a few years back. Like my wallpapers? I do all the wallpapering in our home!

Last spring, while I was working on a book called Ship of Dreams,
  my 9th grade daughter called from school one day. (She is the younger one in the picture, above.)
"Mom, I missed the bus. Could you pick me up?"
"Okay, honey."
"But could you wait a few minutes, like, say, twenty to thirty minutes, and then get me?"
"Sure, honey."
I hung up with the happy reassurance that I had more time to go on writing the scene from my novel that was actually rather thrilling. It was a pivotal scene in the book. WELL...
About an hour later the phone rang.
"Mom?"
"BETH! Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! I'm on my way!"
And thus goes the life of a writer. If she had wanted me to get her immediately I could have done that, no problemo.
But to let me get back into a pivotal scene of my current work-in-progress? Uh-oh.
A writer has to be living the scene if she or he wants it to be believable. For me, I have to be living it in order to write it at all.
Once I had her in the car on the way home, my daughter looked at me with a miffed expression.
"So, what happened?"
"Bethany," I explained patiently, "You have to understand. I was on the Titanic with more than 1,000 passengers who were going down!"
She looked at me for a moment, thinking, and slowly smiled. "Okay, mom. I get it."

For more on the life (or, er, the imagination of) a writer, see my blog post on The Writing Life,
here.

Fiction Friday & Book GIVEAWAY!

A Bride's Dilemma: in Friendship, Tennessee

by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Inspirational Romance
Christian Fiction Factor: 4-5
Don't you just love the beautiful cover of A Bride's Dilemma? I'm pleased to have Diana Lesire Brandmeyer here as our guest today to tell us about her book. She's generously offered to send a free copy (US only, sorry) to someone who leaves a comment.

[Winner will be chosen and notified one week from today. Leave a comment after the post to share your thoughts with Diana and you'll be automatically entered in the drawing.]

Before we speak with Diana, here's a peek at what A Bride's Dilemma is about: 

Heaven’s Stolen His Heart

 After witnessing the ravages of the Civil War, Travis Logan vowed to give up doctoring. But when fellow steamboat passenger Caleb Wharton collapses at his feet, Travis knows he must lend his aid. As the old man lies dying, he makes Travis promise to take care of his land and find Heaven. Travis can’t help but wonder what Heaven has to do with a real place, so he heads to Caleb’s farm to fulfill his promise.

Weeks of facing marauders and caring for her father’s home have finally taken their toll on Heaven Wharton. When an unknown young man charges the house, Heaven attempts to fire a warning shot but ends up shooting the man instead. Shocked, she and her sister, Angel, drag a semi-conscious Travis into the house and nurse him back to health.

 As Travis and Heaven both struggle to control their destinies, will they learn that only a heart that follows God can ever find peace on earth?

This sounds like a great story, Diana. What made you interested in writing Christian Historical Fiction?

I discovered historical fiction through LaVyrle Spencer a long time ago. Through her characters she involved me in history in an enjoyable way. When Christian Historical Fiction began to be published I was overjoyed! Finally, my kind of book without the immoral behaviors. I had a chance to write A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee and dove right in.

Do you write any other genres?

Yes, I have written a contemporary:  Hearts on the Road (Heartsong) which will be re-released as an ebook in the future. I’ve also co-authored a nonfiction book: We’re Not Blended, We’re Pureed: A Survivor’s guide to Blended Families. That was a tough book to write because it's about blending my own family after I was widowed.

What is your favorite scene from A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship?

I would say most of my favorite scenes involve Angel, the heroine’s sister. She’s a bit outspoken.

Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?

Every time I start a new book that character becomes my center of enjoyment. It’s like discovering a new friend; the old friends are great but this new one brings another aspect to your life you didn’t expect.

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?  

Abandonment seems to show up in my books quite often with the realization as Christians we are never alone.

What is the one thing that you want to leave readers of A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship pondering over? The heroine's dilemma! (What does Annabelle do?)

Thanks so much, Diana. Where can readers get a copy of your book?

A Bride's Dilemma on Amazon.com

On Barnes and Noble.com 

On CBD.com (ChristianBook.com)

Don't forget to leave your contact info in your comment (ie., your email addy. Like this: Linore (at) LinoreBurkard (dot) com.)

Bio

Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. Her historical, A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee is now available. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.

Learn more about Diana on the web: 

http://www.dianabrandmeyer.com 

http://www.pencildancer.com (blog)

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dianalesirebrandmeyerauthor

Twitter @dianabrandmeyer

SARAI: by Jill Eileen Smith

Fiction Monday!

I usually do "Fiction Fridays" here on WOMAN OF FAITH, highlighting great Christian fiction or books that are at least family friendly, but I fell behind last week, so welcome to Fiction Monday! My guest today is author Jill Eileen Smith, here to talk about her new release, SARAI. (Isn't it a beautiful book?)

Hi, Jill. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into writing.

I’m wife to Randy (best husband ever!), mom to three wonderful adult sons, servant to two sweet but sometimes demanding kitties...aspiring Bible scholar, amateur historian, musician, and above all- a disciple of Jesus Christ. When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading for pleasure, bike rides to the park, and getting coffee with friends.

My writing journey began in my teens with some sappy poetry, which didn’t go very far. In my early adulthood, I set writing aside and tried my hand at every handicraft that interested me, but nothing ignited my passion. A Bible study on King David led to the desire to read a novel on his life. When I couldn’t find one that satisfied, I sat down to write the book I wanted to read. My artistic passion was born. Twenty years of learning the craft and many trials later, The Wives of King David saw print.


Congratulations on that! You got great reviews. Tell us about your latest release.

Sarai, book one in the Wives of the Patriarchs series is the story of Sarah and Abraham. Here’s the back-cover copy:

He promised her his heart. She promised him a son. But how long must they wait?

When Abram finally requests the hand of his beautiful half sister Sarai, she asks one thing—that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even Sarai’s father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if she makes a promise in return—to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

But as the years stretch on and Sarai’s womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain, lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram’s patience last?

I admire that you go so far into the past to find your stories. Did you have any experiences that prompted your love of biblical fiction?

When I was in my teens, I read Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. It was a love story of Joseph and Mary, which brought the biblical story to life for me. I closed that book and thought, “These people were real!” The Bible became a living, breathing book to me and its characters people I wanted to get to know.


How long does it take you to write a novel?

I start with research into the biblical account of the story. Then I pour over books on culture, geography, history, and the life and times of each era. I study maps and calculate ages and distances traveled. One little word in the biblical account can lead to a day of research. I’ve studied everything from the history of silk to how long sheep carry their young. As I write, the need to describe things can make me ask questions like, “How do you climb a date palm tree?” Since I don’t have one in my backyard, YouTube videos are the next best thing!

Research takes at least a month or more, and I continue to research throughout the months of writing. This includes making an idea board with pictures of my characters, writing character sketches, and paragraph summarizing of the story. The book goes through at least three or four rewrites, is read by one or two critique partners, and is read aloud by me to listen for rhythm before I finally turn it into my editor.

It is very important to me that I get the biblical part of the story as close to the Scriptures as possible, so I take care to not rush into an opinion on how things might have been without study and prayer.


You sound very diligent. Where is your favorite place to write? Do you have a designated office space?

I love my laptop and a Lazy-Boy recliner, which is where I do most of my writing. I have a desk that is ergonomically better than the recliner, but I don’t use it as often. My office is a converted wet bar off our family room.


Love that! Can you share some of the fictional qualities you chose to give Sarai and why you chose to portray her this way?

I see Sarai as a woman whose desire for a child overshadows her faith. While Sarai does believe in Abram’s God, she has not met Him face to face. Her servant Hagar has that privilege years before it comes to Sarai, who has not personally heard His voice nor the promises that He has given to Abram. While she is normally a strong woman, in this one thing that she cannot control, she wavers.

This lack of trust in the promise that God will indeed give Abram a son and heir, leads her to do some things she would not normally do if she weren’t so tempted and so desperate. In more than one instance her lack of trust leaves her with deep regrets.

While I cannot know whether Sarai did some of the things I portrayed her as doing, I did so to show the greater grace of God. Sarah, like each one of us, was born in sin and needed forgiveness and redemption. I attempted to think as she might have thought in the culture of her day, faced with the idolatrous practices of those around her. Not everyone in Abram’s camp believed as Abram did. As is true for us today, each one of us must choose. Sarai was no different.

You've certainly made me curious to read the book. Do you have a life verse or a mission statement that guides your writing?

I do: “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.” Psalm 115:1 NKJV

“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another ...” Isaiah 42:8a ESV


What’s coming next? Can we have a preview?

Rebekah, book two in the Wives of the Patriarchs will release next year. This book could end up being one of my favorites, but it was by far the hardest book I’ve ever written. In the end, I saw Isaac and Rebekah in a whole new light. I can’t wait to share the discovery with readers!

Thank you, Jill. Your books sound delicious!
Take a closer look at the book on Amazon Amazon

Or purchase a copy at CBD

Or at Barnes and Noble.

About Jill:
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, all part of the the Wives of King David series. Her research into the lives of David's wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Bathsheba was named Top Pick 4 1/2 stars from RT Book Reviews for March 2011, and the book received a starred review from Booklist which means "Outstanding in its genre."

GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Do you plan on reading Sarai?. Let me know in a comment and I'll choose one commenter to win a (surprise) package! Hint: Guaranteed to please any reader of Christian fiction.
Warmest Blessings,

Linore
website: www.LinoreBurkard.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LinoreRose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuthorNewsfromLinore/

Winner Announcement

Last week's "Fiction Friday giveaway was a pdf copy of Tom Blubaugh's Night of the Cossack, and our winner is MARY KAY!
Mary, you didn't leave your email, so please contact me by leaving a comment with your email or send me a note at Linore (at) LinoreRoseBurkard (dot) com.

Congratulations on winning, and thanks to Tom for the giveaway.
Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Fiction Friday

Night of the Cossack

by Tom Blubaugh

I love when I can recommend a book wholeheartedly, and today's Fiction Friday spotlights just such a one. Read on to see how you can win a copy for yourself.

Night of the Cossack is a compelling adventure by Tom Blubaugh about a teenager who is forced to grow up quickly during tumultuous events in the early 1900s in Russia. Young Nathan Hertzfield faces many life or death situations throughout the book. Join him on his perilous and exhilarating journey through parts of Russia and Europe, and find out how he eventually emigrates to America. The story is based loosely on the life of the author's grandfather. Adventure, suspense, and warmth make it a riveting story.

This is one of those reads that works for all ages, young and old (beginning, I'd say, for ages nine and up). For slower readers, age eleven or thereabouts. If you have a reluctant young reader, the opening is explosive enough to keep anyone turning pages. And, if you homeschool or teach in a classroom, the book even has companion lesson plans. (It is so obviously a great pick for educators that I was deeply satisfied to find this out.)

Here's the five-star review I left on Amazon:

Night of the Cossack is an exceptionally well-written historical tale. Blubaugh's clean, tight prose moves along at a clipping pace and the elements of great fiction are all here: high stakes, peril, uncertainty, as well as the coming-of-age of a young Jewish man whose life is torn apart by societal upheaval in early 19th century Russia. The book brings history to life through the eyes of its young male protagonist and ends on just the right note of hope, making it a perfect pick for teachers and educators looking for worthwhile fiction for young people. Readers of any age will enjoy this, but I think middle-school teachers should grab this book and dovetail it with world history lessons for their students. Scholastic should pick this one up for sure. Eye-opening, interesting, compelling, and even fun, Night of the Cossack is exactly what a really good book should be.

In other words, this one's a keeper.

Win A Copy!

What about you? Do you enjoy personal glimpses of history through fiction? Leave a comment and Tom will award one commenter with a free copy of the book in pdf form.

Amazon purchase link.
Lesson Plan Barnes and Noble Link

About the Author

Tom Blubaugh was raised in a small town in southeast KS, and was writing poetry by age 14. Tom has written many articles for denominational and business magazines and co-wrote The Great Adventure for Barbour Publishing.(2009). Night of the Cossack is his first work of fiction. Retired now, Tom and his wife Barbara have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Besides writing, Tom devotes most of his time to volunteer work.

Purchase link including lesson plan

Don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win a free copy in pdf form for your computer or reading device!
Good luck!
I wish you hours of happy reading,

Linore
Heart-Warming, Soul-Stirring Christian Romance