SPLIT!

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THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

My new book-SPLIT!-released this week. The book features the Minton family and their bowling center. I love the characters in this book. Yes, I know that I say that with every book I write.

I only say it because it’s true!

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So bowling and a mystery? That’s definitely not the usual setting for a mystery or suspense story. Almost fifteen years ago, I got married. To a bowler! Now if you don’t have a close association with a bowler, you may not know what that means.

For me, it meant I started to bowling.

I am not a natural athlete–at all! And in fact when I started bowling on a league with my husband, my family found it quite amusing. Almost fifteen years later, I’m still not a good bowler. OK, I’m pretty bad! My average is pretty much the same as it was when I started.

But that’s the great thing about bowling. When you bowl on a league, they give you a handicap. Meaning I get extra points because I’m that bad, and that makes me more competitive with the good bowlers.

Originally (actually up until a few weeks ago) the story title was 7/10 Split. As I was making the final revisions, I came to understand that the main character’s (MACY) goal was to keep her family together–not SPLIT up.

By changing the title to SPLIT! I was able to describe the essence of the story in one word as well as use a bowling term! And that’s what I did! Here’s the blurb for the story:

Sometimes life is full of strikes; and sometimes all we get is a split—no matter how well we throw the ball.

After seventeen year-old Macy Minton’s parents died, she’s had only one goal—to keep her family together. Along with the family bowling center, she inherited the responsibility of caring for her two younger siblings.

Now seven years later everything is falling apart, especially her family.

Macy thinks life can’t get any worse, but she’s wrong.

As she struggles to keep the bowling alley from closing forever, one tragedy after another threatens to split her family permanently. Convinced someone is intent on destroying her family, she’s determined to stop them.

But first she has to find out who’s responsible.

So that’s the story behind the story of SPLIT!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Mary Manners–My Friday Friend!

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AND A BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Mary Manners is an award-winning romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and the cherished cats they’ve rescued from local animal shelters…Lucky and Gus. She loves swimming, running, flavored coffee and Smoky Mountain sunsets.

Mary believes everyone has a story to tell, and she loves to share hers. She writes inspirational romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels—something for everyone. Learn more about Mary Manners at her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.

Mary’s here to tell us all about her new book, HEARTACHE AND HOPE.

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Daylin Sullivan has a passion for two things: books and food. Both help her escape from a past riddled by abandonment; she spent her childhood passed from one foster family to the next. Life has mirrored a game of musical chairs until one New Year’s Eve she stumbles upon a Dash for the Dream brochure in the local diner. The team is a faith-based group that runs marathons to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Patrick Litton is raising his six-year-old daughter Aubree alone. As the leader of Dash for the Dream, the widower works tirelessly to secure funding in search of better treatment for all those afflicted with CF, including Aubree. Patrick has no time for romance—until he meets Daylin at the Dash for the Dream kick-off party.

Daylin and Patrick don’t expect to fall in love, but both learn that when it comes to romance, training for a marathon is the easiest part of their journey.

 

It sounds like an awesome story, Mary. And the good news is that Mary has kindly offered to give away a copy of her book. So be sure to leave a comment and you might be the lucky winner!

 

 

And the Winners Are….

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I’m so sorry. I know I said I’d pick the winners and notify them on Christmas Eve but it didn’t work out that way. Here are the winners for the Amazon Gift Card Giveaway to celebrate the release of NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

 

Ann Ellison

Abigail

Carol Young

Stella Potts

Marilyn Leach

 

Congratulations to the winners! I hope you enjoy your gift cards!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Tamera Lynn Kraft–My Friday Friend

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My Friday Friend is Tamera Lynn Kraft. She’s always loved adventures and writes Christian historical fiction set in America because there are so many adventures in American history. She is married to the love of her life, has two grown children, and lives in Akron, Ohio. Soldier’s Heart and A Christmas Promise are two of her historical novellas that have been published. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest. Her third novella, A Resurrection of Hope, will be released in March.

You can contact Tamera online at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft or Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamerakraft

 

 

Moravian Christmas Traditions

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

In my novella, A Christmas Promise, I write about Moravian missionaries in Schoenbrunn Village, circa 1773. The Moravians brought many Christmas traditions to America that we use to celebrate Christ’s birth today. Here are a few of them.

The Christmas Tree: Moravians brought the idea of decorating Christmas trees in their homes in the early 1700s, long before it became a popular tradition in the United States.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Most churches have Christmas Eve services where they sing Christmas carols and light candles to show Jesus came to be the light of the world. The Moravian Church has been doing that for centuries. They call their services lovefeasts because they also have a part of the service where they serve sweetbuns and coffee – juice for the kids – and share Christ’s love with each other. For candles, Moravians use bleached beeswax with a red ribbon tied around them. The white symbolizes the purity of Christ and red symbolizes that His blood was shed for us.

The Moravian Star: In the 1840s at a Moravian school, students made 24 point stars out of triangles for their geometry lessons. Soon those Moravian stars started making their way on the tops of Christmas trees. The star as a Christmas tree topper is still popular today.

The Putz: The putz is a Christmas nativity scene surrounded by villages or other Biblical scenes. Moravian children in the 1700s would make a putz to put under their Christmas tree. Today, nativity scenes and Christmas villages are popular decorations.

 

A Christmas Promise Blurb:

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

A Moravian Holiday Story, Circa 1773

During colonial times, John and Anna settle in an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenape. When John is called away to help at another settlement two days before Christmas, he promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day.

When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian Christmas.

Through it all, she discovers a Christmas promise that will give her the peace she craves.

Review:

“Revel in the spirit of a Colonial Christmas with this achingly tender love story that will warm both your heart and your faith. With rich historical detail and characters who live and breathe on the page, Tamera Lynn Kraft has penned a haunting tale of Moravian missionaries who selflessly bring the promise of Christ to the Lenape Indians. A beautiful way to set your season aglow, A Christmas Promise is truly a promise kept for a heartwarming holiday tale.” – Julie Lessman

Available at these online stores:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GM59GN4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Pelican Book Group

http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=512

Christian Books.com http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=48711EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=1206746&event=ESRCG&view=details

 

THANKS, Tamera for being my Friday Friend today.  The book sounds awesome!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING! 

 

 

This and That…

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I was doing a little research on one of my favorite writers, Nicholas Spark. (Don’t you just love his books?) Anyway…he talks about sharing his writing process with his fans, readers, and even other writers as he works on a book.

So I decided to do the same.

Today I finished the second draft on a manuscript that I hope will become a book someday. A writer can never be completely sure of that until it actually happens. For example, a few years ago I received a 3-book contract and not one of those books was published to date. (I haven’t given up on them yet.)

Right now the title of the manuscript I’m working on is called THE PUZZLE HOUSE. Of course, that’s subject to change at anytime. But I’m really excited about this book. It’s completely different from my other books. No mystery or suspense element at all.

I’m not going to talk about the plot right now–it’s too early.

The way I write is in layers. The first layer gets the basic story written down. The second layer is about adding more details into the story as well as adding more events and characters in when needed.

So what happens now? I let the book sit for a while. A resting time if you will. Much like when you cook a steak or a roast. The resting time is as important as the cooking time. So in a few days or even a week or so, I start working on it again for the third time.

The waiting time is very important when writing a story. It’s crucial to take a break so that when you being working on it again, it’s with fresh eyes.

So that’s what I’m up to right now. PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS POST AND SIGN UP TO WIN AMAZON GIFT CARDS BY LEAVING A COMMENT UNDER THAT BLOG!

Thanks.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

IT’S HERE! AND A GIVEAWAY, TOO!

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My latest book will be releasing today. Like me, it’s sweet and short–okay not so sweet. It’s filled with heart-pounding suspense, but it is short. NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY is a novella, meaning short novel. But don’t worry, you don’t get cheated. Because novellas are short, that means there’s action on every page!

Here’s what others are saying about No Home For The Holidays:

No Home for the Holidays is like curling up with a special cup of coffee and a pumpkin muffin–a warm break for a cool day. Enjoy this quick, feel-good read soon! No Home for the Holidays has winter’s glow mixed with suspense and like-able characters–a great read for the season!

–Linda Rondante, author of Looking For Justice

Not your average Christmas story, but the Gospel message still comes through. No Home for the Holidays is the perfect, quick read for the busy Christmas holidays.

– Ruth O’Neil, author of the What a Difference a Year Makes series.

“Lillian Duncan has done it again…. Penned yet another story which grabs the reader and speeds him along a road of story twists and turns.  With a background of Christmas touches, “No Home For the Holidays”  is a quick, suspenseful read with characters who make you care—from hiding secrets to finding  each other’s hearts– under God’s loving gaze.”

—Robin Bayne, author of the Gardner’s Gazebo series:  Prodigal, Samaritan and Christmas Pearl

This utterly absorbing story begins when a preacher’s path crosses that of a frightened woman who is in the midst of a desperate situation. There are engrossing twists and turns throughout and the mesmerizing suspense easily captured my interest. It was gratifying to discover the couple’s relationship with God along the way and to enjoy the thrilling ending.

— Nadine Hapaz, author of My Lord and I: Poems of Faith and Spirituality in Everyday Life

Lillian Duncan has outdone herself. “No Home For The Holidays” is a fast read but so enjoyable, I was sad when it ended. I loved the main characters, Chloe, and Colton, one a pastor on fire for His Lord and determined to remain celibate for the rest of his life, and Chloe is hiding from a past, her family, and equally determined to trust no one.

–Barbara Ann Derksen, author of Shadow Stalker

 

To celebrate the release, I’m giving away Amazon Gift Cards! Five lucky winners will receive $10 Gift cards. Be sure to leave a comment and you’ll be entered! That’s all there is to it. So don’t forget to leave a comment!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

No Home For The Holidays!

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GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!

My newest release will be available in a few days on December 1, but you can preorder it now! NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is part of my publisher’s Christmas Extravaganza. It features a variety of novellas in a variety of genres that have Christmas as part of the story. Since they’re novellas that means they’re short–so you can read several of them or all of them this Christmas season.  To learn more about the CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, go to PELICAN BOOKS.  NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS is available now as a PREORDER.

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AMAZON LINK

 

Here’s the blurb for No Home For The Holidays:

Unlike the Prodigal Son, Chloe Sullivan knows she can’t go home for the Christmas holidays or ever—not if she wants to stay alive.

She’s resigned to the fact she must stay in hiding to keep herself and her family safe. Lonely and desperate for God’s presence, she’s drawn to a nearby church.

Ex-FBI agent turned preacher, Colton Douglas, mistakenly identifies Chloe as the person breaking into local churches. A midnight chase ensues that ends with him snapping her photo. When the photo goes public he learns more about the mystery woman than he bargained for. . .

And that changes everything!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

To celebrate the release of No Home For The Holidays, five lucky winners will receive a $10 Amazon Gift card. So leave a comment HERE so you’ll be entered to win one of the gift cards. Last day to enter will be December 22 with winners being picked on the 23rd. Just in time for Christmas!

Don’t forget to leave a comment! If your comment doesn’t show up right away, that means I have to approve it. Thanks

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Great question!

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Continuing on with interviewing myself,  Pam Harstad asks: Do you have critiques done? If so, what do you do when they vary widely?

That’s a great question, Pam. I don’t do a lot of critiques any longer. But I consider critiques invaluable. I truly believe it’s what got me over the hump of “almost being ready” to be published. A few things about the critiquing process that I learned was:

  1. Be open to other people’s opinions, especially when 2 or 3 are saying the same thing.
  2. Being open doesn’t mean capitulating! Listen, think about it, but in the end it’s your story.
  3. Consider the critiquer as well–Are they published? Do they write stories that you enjoy? After all if you write edgy suspense and they write sweet romances, those are quite the opposite. It doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them but do keep that in mind.

Again, I think being involved with a critique group is crucial for new writers but don’t let the criiiquers steal your voice! I hope that answers your question, Pam.

Until next time…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

A

An Interview With Myself!

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When I have a new release I usually create several different posts as I take a book blog tour, which is a fancy way of saying I visit other people’s blogs to talk about my new book. I’m not doing that with The Christmas Angel Thief since I have another book releasing on December 1.

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One of the types of post I do is an interview. So I thought it would be fun to interview myself. Along with that, I’d love to get some questions from you as well. They can be about me, about this book, or even questions about the writing process itself.  So, for the next few weeks, I’ll post a few questions for myself and then see if any of you have any questions for me.

 

What is your writing process?

I’m what they call a “pantser” meaning I write by the seat of the pants. I never know what’s going to happen in my story on any given writing day. It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I watch that day’s events and then I write it.

When I start a new story I usually have a clear picture of the main character in mind and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything goes after that. If I’m writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone, blow something up or do something that’s a complete surprise to me.

And that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers.

How long does it take you to write a book?

That’s a questions that I get asked a lot and I still don’t have a good answer for it. Because I might work on a story for a few weeks or a  month, then move on to another project, then come back to it at a later time. Another thing I do is work on several writing projects at a time. That means I might spend 30 minutes on a story one day or 2-3 hours on it another day.

Once the first draft is finished, I always set it aside for a while, then come back to it to edit, revise, and polish. I do this several times before I send it to my publisher.

So as you can see, it’s really hard to estimate how long it takes me to “write” a book. But I can say that from start to finish, any full-length book is worked on for at least a few hundred hours.  My novellas would be a shorter time, of course.

 

So there you have it. Two questions that are often asked of me in a typical interview. Now it’s your turn! Post a question for me and I’ll answer it–probably!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!