Book Giveaway Tammy Doherty's Celtic Cross

Welcome Tammy. I'm glad to have you on my blog this week!

Tammy Doherty lives on a small farm in New England with her husband and two children. They grow perennials for sale and raise chickens, as pets and for eggs. When not writing books or watering plants, she enjoys reading historical and suspense fiction and watching Doctor Who on television. She is the author of three Inspirational Western romances, Celtic Cross, Claddaugh and Celtic Cross. Currently she is working on a contemporary romantic suspense series. Her novels can be found online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Visit her on the web at http://tammydoherty.com, http://faith-fiction-friends.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook.



What do you expect from a book? Many people tell me that the romance genre is purely entertainment; that those novels aren’t meant to have a message. Why can’t we be entertained and learn at the same time? Reading historical fiction, whether romance or literature, there’s bound to be something you’ll learn.

Growing up, I read Louis L’Amour books. They’re all similar in theme, and certainly style, though each has a little different setting and characters. Mr. L’Amour made a point of knowing all the locations of his settings. If he wrote about a cave in the hills, you can be sure there’s really a cave there. Because of this I learned a great deal about the geography of the American West. I learned about the attitudes and social customs of days gone by. And I even learned a little about the origin and meaning of some colorful words and phrases. All from a little Western (most of his books are about the same length as a Love Inspired novel).

When I began writing, I didn’t want to turn out a novel that’s so light and fluffy you put it out of mind as soon as you’re done reading. I wanted to craft characters and plots that would connect with my readers and make them think. And I wanted that thinking to carry on in their minds even after the novel was finished. I’m not sure I’ve succeeded—yet—but that’s my goal.

In Celtic Knot I created Abby Finnegan with one thing in mind: if a person has never known love here on Earth, what does it take to accept the Lord’s unconditional love? I put as her foil, and hero, Kyle Lachapelle who grew up virtually steeped in love. The challenge I had with Abby was helping her to grasp the concept of a loving God who allows bad things to happen to His children. I used the fact that she is a mother herself, comparing and contrasting how we parent and how the Lord “parents” us.

Then, because this is a novel and must be entertaining as well as educational (grin), I added in a bunch of villains with varying degrees of conscience and a couple extra “good guys” to help light the way. I researched the time period and location of my setting extensively. Unfortunately, the research did not include a trip to Colorado. Oh well, maybe one day I’ll be able to do research “on location”!

Historical accuracy is important to me. This is another area where I can “teach” my readers. After finishing the first draft of Celtic Knot, I learned that in the late 1800’s bank tellers weren’t called tellers. So I went back and fixed the brief scene where there is a bank teller. In an earlier novel, Celtic Cross, I had written that the heroine listens to the mournful cry of a loon at night—then learned that there aren’t any loons in the location where the story takes place. Oops! The loon swiftly became an owl (grin).

When I read novels by my favorite authors, I look for these little bits of learning about the time period of the story. As a teen reading Westerns the slate of my mind still had lots of empty space for knowledge to be written on. I’ve grown up a lot since then, not just in years but also in experience. Still, I hope to never reach the point of thinking there’s nothing more to learn.

“He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is love.”

Abby Finnigan struggles to go on with life after the death of her husband. Her family has never been supportive, more so now than ever. The only safe course is to protect her heart. Besides, people only do nice things today because they want something tomorrow.

Secret Service Operative Kyle Lachapelle is working undercover. From the moment he meets Abby, Kyle finds her intriguing—and attractive. But Abby is connected to his counterfeiting case. Can he can trust her?

His guarded attitude confuses Abby. She trusts him with much yet withholds her heart, not wanting to be hurt again. When Kyle begins making arrests, her doubts seem justified.

Will love conquer their fears?

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”

Be sure to leave your email address. Please check your junk mail on and the day after the drawing. I've had to redraw because of no responses. Subject box will have: winner of (book title). I'll email the winner and they'll have seven days to respond. If I don't hear back I'll draw another name. USA shipping only. Thanks so much and please stop back again! Drawing will be held Monday, October November 1st.

Book Giveaway MaryLu Tyndall's Surrender the Heart

I'd like to welcome my very good friend, MaryLu Tyndall, to my blog this week. MaryLu was instrumental in helping me get started in writing. She graciously mentored me, pointing me in the right direction, explaining the intricate details of this industry, and helping me connect with loops, groups, and people who could teach me what I needed to learn. I am forever grateful for her servant-like attitude.

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for MaryLu's latest book, Surrender the Heart. This is another fabulous book by MaryLu. I didn't want to put it down. You'll definitely want to read it!

M.L. Tyndall, a Christy Award Finalist, and best-selling author of the Legacy of the King’s Pirates series is known for her adventurous historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes. She holds a degree in Math and worked as a software engineer for fifteen years before testing the waters as a writer. MaryLu currently writes full time and makes her home on the California coast with her husband, six kids, and four cats. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but expose Christians to their full potential in Christ. For more information on MaryLu and her upcoming releases, please visit her website at http://www.mltyndall.com or her blog at http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/

True destiny is for the ordinary

By MaryLu Tyndall

In high school, I was the shy, introverted, pimple-faced, nerd who never got a date. Months of piano lessons faltered on my clumsy hands, my cooking would make the staunchest overeater lose weight, and I was always the last one picked for sports. Have you ever felt like you don't measure up—that you aren't pretty enough, smart enough, funny enough, or talented enough to bring any value to this world? Most of my life I felt like God must have made a mistake when He created me, but the truth is, God made me exactly the way I was for a reason.

Seven years ago, God told me He had something for me to do that would blow me away. At the time, I was working at a job I hated, my kids were rebelling, and my marriage was falling apart. I thought I had misunderstood Him. Besides, what could I do? I couldn’t even handle my own ordinary life. But, I wanted to believe Him. So, I stopped fighting and I gave Him complete control. Within two years, my first novel was published. Now I’m working on my 9^th! At the time God spoke to me, I hadn’t considered becoming a novelist, hadn’t written a word, had no prior education or training. Now, I’m doing something I love and using it to glorify God. This is my destiny! So many people go through their entire lives and miss their destinies. Don’t let that happen to you. Submit to God. No matter what He asks you to do, no matter the struggles, the trials, submit to Him and His will. And in Romans 12:2, He promises that His will for you is perfect, pleasing and good—something you and only you can do.

This is the major theme in my next release, Surrender the Heart, where you'll meet Marianne Denton, an average girl from an average family whose low self-opinion has kept her from seeing her true worth in God's eyes. Follow her tale of adventure and romance as Marianne fully surrenders her heart to God and allows Him to transform her weaknesses into strengths that will change the course of history.

A young mistrustful lady, desperate to save her family

A man, burdened by guilt, desperate to please his

Both caught in the brink of a war that could change the course of history forever

On the brink of the War of 1812, Marianne Denton must marry to unlock her inheritance. Without the money, her mother can’t receive medical care and her sister will be destitute. But Noah Brenin needs to sail his cargo to England before the war commences in order to prove his worth to his father and make enough money so he won’t have to marry at all.

But when Noah walks out on their engagement party, Marianne chases him down and ends up on his merchantman out at sea. The situation worsens when Noah’s ship encounters a British man-of-war and the couple is pressed into the British navy.

While a young lad’s prophecy of destiny looms over them both, Marianne and Noah are forced to face their darkest fears as they desperately try to find a way to escape and fulfill their destinies—destinies that could change the course of the war and history forever.

Be sure to leave your email address. Please check your junk mail on and the day after the drawing. I've had to redraw because of no responses. Subject box will have: winner of (book title). I'll email the winner and they'll have seven days to respond. If I don't hear back I'll draw another name. USA shipping only. Thanks so much and please stop back again! Drawing will be held Monday, October 25th.

Book Giveaway Vickie McDonough's Second Chance Brides

I'm excited to have Vickie Mcdonough on my blog today. Please take a moment to learn some things about Vickie and then leave a post to be entered into a drawing for her book, Second Chance Brides.

SECOND CHANCE BRIDES (Book Two)

Two rejected mail-order brides must snag a husband fast or find a way to survive on their own in rugged Texas. Returning home isn’t an option. With many men in town and few women, marriage proposals are abundant, but finding an honorable, hardworking man a woman can trust with her heart is the hard part.

Take a moment and learn a few things about this talented author.

1) Where are you right now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing?

I’m in my office at my desk, wearing jeans and a dark blue shirt, and my houseshoes—nothing too exciting. If you’d asked that in the morning, you’d have caught me in my pjs.

2) If you had to live in a different time period than what we live in now, what would that be and why?

Oh, that’s hard. I suppose it would have to be in the late 1800s. I just don’t know if I could stand wearing those long dresses and all the unmentionables that went with them. It’s no wonder women fainted so much back then.

3) If you could visit any place in the world where would you go and why?

I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and Scotland. We have ancestors who came from there. Maybe one of these days I’ll get to go.

4) If you could meet any person alive or dead who would that be and why? (excluding the Lord) I’d like to see my grandma again. Yeah, I know I already met her, but I was only 11 when she died. She was born in 1876—no, that’s not a mistake. I’d love to pick her brain and learn what life was like when she was younger.

5) If the Lord told you that you were allowed to bring one material thing with you to heaven, what would that be?

My laptop. Do you think you can get Internet access in heaven? J

6) Did anyone inspire you to write?

I’ve read Christian fiction for over 25 years, and most of the authors I read have been inspiring. I learned to write partly by studying fiction novelists. My husband and my critique partners have inspired and encouraged me, but my main inspiration is the Lord. I believe writing Christian fiction is what He has for me at this stage of my life, and my desire is to write exciting stories that entertain and inspire readers.

7) Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your Christian walk?

I grew up in church and gave my heart to God when I was small. Honestly, I can’t say that any one particular person influenced me but rather many people.

Be sure to leave your email address. Please check your junk mail on and the day after the drawing. I've had to redraw because of no responses. Subject box will have: winner of (book title). I'll email the winner and they'll have seven days to respond. If I don't hear back I'll draw another name. USA shipping only. Thanks so much and please stop back again! Drawing will be held Monday, October18th.