Today give a big welcome to Leanna Ellis, author of the newly released Once in a Blue Moon. As usual, one lucky reader will get a copy of this cool novel, so leave your comments with a way for me to reach you.
‘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 quirky characters in her head from bothering others. Winner of the National Readers Choice Award, Leanna writes quirky women’s fiction with a splash of romance. From a long line of southerners and patriots, she lives with her family in Texas.
About Once in a Blue Moon
The day Armstrong stepped on the moon has special memories for most Americans, but not for Bryn Seymour. It’s the day her mother died. Despite death defying feats, guilt has always pulled Bryn down time and again. But a perfect love shows her taking a leap of faith is the first step to soaring. But it only happens … once in a blue moon.
Welcome, Leanna! What book are you talking to us about today?
With a very intriguing summary! Great cover, too. It caught my eye as soon as it came in. Let’s chat a little about it. What was the hardest part to write?
This book was difficult not so much to write but in finishing it as there was so much going on in my personal life as I was trying to finish it up. My dad was in the hospital for about three weeks, and I was often in the car five hours taking the kids to school, going to the hospital, back and forth. Trying to get any work done while sitting in a hospital room was not easy. And in fact, many days I didn’t get anything done. I did get up on Facebook finally! Amazingly, I did get the book turned in…one week early. It was definitely with God’s help. Two weeks later my father passed away. God really just carried me through that time.
Oh, wow. So sorry you had to go through that! It’s definitely good to see how the Lord carries us through those tought times, though. What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
First, I hope they are entertained. There are definitely some quirky characters in this story. But I also hope that they will follow this journey with Bryn into a dark and murky past and if they are clinging to any guilt that they can learn to place it at Jesus’ feet and release it unto him and feel his healing and cleansing.
(Love the name ‘Bryn’ too!) What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
I’ve always got several books that I’m reading at the same time. On my Kindle, I’m reading Pride and Prejudice with my daughter. I’m also reading The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell. Plus I’m reading a couple of research books for a book I’m about to start writing.
Ahh, P&P. Blissful sigh. =) What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
A dream office would be about fifty feet from my house and I could walk over little cobblestones, past my pool (also imaginary) and to my office where I’d have a nice wide desk with lots of stacks of folders and papers on it, surrounded by bookshelves filled to the brim. The walls would be caramel colored and would have giant windows looking out over the pool, mountains or ocean. But there would also be thick blinds and curtains I could close to block out every distraction. I’d also have a treadmill in the corner when I need to move and a plasma screen tv for when I’m doing a little research. A comfy chair or couch would also be available for a different kind of research – napping. And no one would complain about my stacks or my books. There would be splashes of red as in fresh flowers as that is my favorite color. And of course, there would be my handy-dandy computer. In reality, I have an office that my husband and I share. There is a splash of red in the curtains but I often end up working at another desk in the guest bedroom which is my favorite room in the house because of the caramel colored walls – so soothing. But I also work at the kitchen table…and Starbucks…and Barnes and Noble. Have laptop will travel.
You’ve sure got it planned out though! I particularly like the couch for nap-research. =) Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Most of my time is spent tending to my family, cleaning, fixing breakfast, lunch and dinner, taking kids to school, picking up, taking them to fencing, music, dance, basketball, etc…, and letting the dogs in and out and back in again. My kids also homeschool two days a week, so I oversee them working on their assignments. It’s a very complex a job and it keeps me very busy. But I also love it.
You’re a busy lady! Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
In September 2010, FACELIFT comes out.
This is a great cover too, thanks for giving us a sneak peek at it!
~*~
You can read an excerpt of Once in a Blue Moon here.
Contest ends 3/18/10. Void where prohibited. Winner will have two weeks to claim the book before another winner is selected.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
I would love to win this book, really like Leanna's book
I have your button on my blog edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
I would like to read this book..Carman sent me.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I'd love to read this. Great interview.
robinribbit at yahoo.com
Love the interview and the book sounds very interesting! Please enter me 😀
gracethorson (at) gmail (dot) com
*Thanks* Carman sent me!
Wow. Sounds like a GREAT book! Please enter me in the giveaway!
krhmoseslake[at]gmail.com
Great interview…love picturing your office!!
Please consider me for the book!
Carman sent me!
alekee02[at]yahoo.com
I am certainly interested in the giveaway. Thanks,
Glenda
res0k5vf[at]verizon[dot]net
I've seen "Blue Moon" making the rounds and it really sounds like a great read. I found this site by visiting Carmen's site where she post giveaways on other blogs. Please sign me up.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com
Sounds great! I would love to enter this giveaway!
Love Ya,
Ashley
i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com
Thanks, Roseanna! Wow, what a great bunch hanging out over here! Thanks so much y'all. You gave me a great big grin reading all of your comments.
Blessings,
Leanna
Leanna is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she incorporates an Elvis, Dorothy, or Armstrong in her books, along with humor and emotion. I hope to eventually read Once in a Blue Moon and appreciate the chance to win a copy.
I would love to have a dream office like Leanna's! And I also enjoy reading at Starbucks and Barnes & Noble. There's just something about the coffee/book combination.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Wow . . . I feel totally honored to be such a convincing endorser, LOL!
Leanna, I can hardly wait to read your book. Your writing will be new to me but I found you through this link from Roseanna so I trust that you're good. BTW, P&P is mine and my 19 yr old daughter's all time favorite!
Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
taviansnana[at]yahoo.com
Would love to read this book!
davidndes(at)comcast(dot)net
Of course I am interested!
tiffanyniekro (at) hotmail (dot) com
Wow! I love the cover and it really sounds live a great read. Please enter me into your contest for Once in a Blue Moon.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi … I would really like to read Once in a Blue Moon 🙂 Carman sent me.
me_cheerful(at)hotmail(dot)com
Carman sent me. I would LOVE to read this book. 🙂 The Facelift cover is GREAT! Thanks for the chance. 🙂
caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to read this book….please enter me. Thanks!!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net
Thanks for the interview. I came from Carman's
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Please enter me! This book sounds awesome.
booklovercb[at]yahoo[dot]com
Love the sound of that dream office! And would love a copy of the book. 🙂
hsmomtx(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, y'all! Thanks so much!Rubynreba, I wish I could take credit for my wonderful book covers, but B&H gets the credit for that. I am so blessed! They really do an amazing job with covers, don't they? Thanks, Roseanna, for having me here!
Blessings,
Leanna
i would love to read leanna's latest masterpiece 🙂
karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview! Leanna is an interesting person who definitely writes great books!
Emma Bedford
elbedford@comcast,net
She picks out such great book covers. I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Great interview. Would love to read this book.
csdsksds[at]gmail.com