Lena has graciously offered a copy of her latest release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico to one lucky reader, so leave your comments below with a way I can reach you!
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About Lena
Lena Nelson Dooley, president of DFW Ready Writers—the local chapter of ACFW, is a multi-published, award-winning author who loves to mentor other authors. With her 25th book release, she has close to 650,000 books in print. Her next release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, will be on sale May 1, 2010. Look for it bookstores everywhere.
Lena has spoken at conferences and writers’ meetings in four states. She also speaks at women’s retreats and event of all kinds. She lives in Hurst, Texas with her husband of over 45 years.
Lena’s door and heart are always open to those God places in her path. She seriously considers her ministry as a mentor, prayer warrior, even a champion of the downtrodden, her life’s work.
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About Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico
All that glitters is not gold.
It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden…and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.
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What’s your latest book?
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press, releases May 1, 2010.
Ah, I love the Love Finds You books! What’s your favorite part of the story?
I loved watching the romance develop, but I also love the character of Philip Smith and how he interacted with everyone else.
Nothing beats a fabulous character! What was the hardest part to write?
Because I had to do a lot of research about it, preparing for and completing the train trip from Boston to Golden was the hardest.
Logistical stuff. Fun. 😉 What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
I want them to understand that we don’t forgive someone only when we feel like it. God’s forgiveness is unconditional, and ours must be, too.
So true! Is there a theme to this book?
God’s plans for us are often far different from our own plans, but they’re so much better.
I keep telling myself that, but blockheaded me often forgets, LOL. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
I actually like to write both contemporary and historical novels, but I’ve sold more historical books to publishers.
And my reading is eclectic. I don’t like to read just one genre. I don’t want to read horror or war novels that contain mostly the fighting. I love historical and contemporary romances, romantic suspense, suspense, mysteries, even many sci-fi/fantasy or futuristic novels.
A woman with many of the same interests as me! What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
I just finished Rooms by James Rubart and started Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J Mark Bertrand, both very good books.
I have a large number of books on my shelves that I wan to read, so I’ll just pick one that strikes my fancy when I finish this one.
What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
That editors aren’t people to fear. They’re our friends, and they need us just as much as we need them.
Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?
I have hosted a critique group in my home for over 25 years. God has brought people into that group who have differing giftings. We all help each other.
Oh, it would be so cool if my critters could meet regularly! We’re a long distance group. If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)
I would buy one of those electric stovetops that has a smooth surface with the heating elements below, and I’d get a new door to the patio.
Very practical. If you have some leftover, I could use a new door to my porch, too. 😉 Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
One night at dinner, a thought came to me. I told James what a certain person was going to do. He asked who that was. When I told him it was a character in the novel I was writing, he said, “Writers really are weird.” (However, he loves and supports me in my writing. He just didn’t understand having a conversation about a character.)
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Thanks for visiting, Lena! Readers, you will not want to miss Lena’s blog–she interviews authors daily and always has a slew of fun giveaways from those authors.
You can purchase Golden, New Mexico at Amazon, ChristianBook, and CrossPurposes.
Void where prohibited. Contest ends 5/6/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim 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.
Would like to read this. Have read many great reviews on it.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com
This book sounds wonderful – thanks for the giveaway!
winnieayala at yahoo dot com
Sounds wonderful. Haven't read a lot of books set during that time period. Would love to read this. Thanks for the chance.
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
I love a great historical novel and I have a collection of all but 2 of the LFY books~! Would love a chance to win this one! Thanks!
Blessings and hugs,
Molly
Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com
The book sounds great. I love read booking about this time period. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Ahhh I LOVE LOVE LOVE mail order bride stories and this looks terrific!
Please enter me!
XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com
This looks great! Please enter me!
Katie
katiegalyean @ yahoo . com
Greetings,
Thanks for this great interview and giveaway. I've wanted to read this book for quite a while. Please enter me.
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com
Please enter me and thank you for this giveaway.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
I really enjoyed the interview and would love to win Lena's book. Please enter me & thank you for the opportunity.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous book 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I love reading mail order bride stories and this one sounds like a wonderful read!
Altho I don't know Lena well, I love that woman. She critiqued my ms the first time I went to ACFW & gave me such encouraging remarks I've never forgotten them.
Thanks for the great interview, Ro & Lena!
If I should win her book, here's my address: browncarole212(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds great.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
It was fun to read Lena's interview, as she is one who usually interviews everybody else! I look forward to reading her book and appreciate the chance to win a copy.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I love the Love Finds You series. I would love to read Lena's book. Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
We posted about your giveaway at Winning Readings.
inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you for stopping by. Each and every fan is dear to my heart.
I've read many great reviews on this book.
I would love to read.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com
Love that dinner table story. It's so great when we think of our characters as real people. I think its a good thing – even if it's weird.
Blessings
jancline@ymail.com
Awesome interview! Love Lena's works!@ Please enter me!
Thanks and hugs,
Connie
Connieed53(at)aol(dot)com
Oh please add me to win this book I read a sneak peek of it the other day and I really liked what I read, and very much want to read it!:) thanks for the chance!!:)
lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview! The book looks wonderful. Please enter me.
Blessings
Michelle V
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net