Deborah Raney - Two Roads Home - Giveaway!

Good Monday Morning Readers!

Today, Deborah Raney visits Lagniappe to discuss her latest, Two Roads Home.

Welcome, Deb!

Tell us a little about Two Roads Home.

This is the second in the Chicory Inn Novels series from Abingdon Press. Each of the five books in the series focuses on one of the grown children of Grant and Audrey Whitman. In Two Roads Home, I explored issues of changing careers mid-stream, temptation, and what it means to make sacrifices for those you love.   

If you weren't a writer, what would be another dream job?

One of the reasons I decided to write about an empty nest couple running a B&B is because I’ve always thought that would be a really fun job. I love to bake, I love decorating, I love having company in my home. I don’t even mind doing laundry, cleaning, and making beds. The only part I would hate is the bookwork. I’ll probably never actually run a B&B, but I’m having fun living vicariously through my characters on Chicory Lane. Now I’m dreaming about opening my own coffee shop. Hmmm… Maybe that’s what my next series will be about?

Briefly describe one of your typical writing days?

One of the things I really love about my career as a writer is that no day is the same. I love that I’m free to rearrange my schedule and go on an impromptu date with my husband, or out to lunch with my sisters. But the majority of my weekdays look like this: Wake at 4:30 or 5 and answer e-mail, read blogs (including a couple of devotionals), and enjoy the early morning hours that are my favorite. At 6:30, my husband and I hop on the treadmill and elliptical, watching a favorite TV series to make the time go faster. After we’ve showered, we read a chapter in the Bible and pray together for our kids and families. Around 9, we make an omelet together, but take our breakfast and coffee or tea to our respective offices (he’s downstairs, I’m upstairs—or outside if the weather allows.) There, I write for several hours, including time for research, if needed. We don’t eat lunch, but have a very early “supper” around 4 p.m., then we might work in the yard, or work on a house project before going back to work for several hours in the evening. We’re usually in bed reading by 10 p.m.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing? Hobbies, etc?

Ken and I love working in the yard. We’ve moved almost every plant that was here when we moved, taking a scattering of rosebushes and turning them into a rose garden, and getting clematis trained on the posts near our shade garden under the deck. We love planning flower pots and flower boxes and spend a lot of time outside spring through autumn. We also love to go garage sale-ing and shopping for treasures in second-hand and antique shops.

What were some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, or logistical) you faced in bringing this story to life?

I think one of the biggest challenges of this series has been to not make this story too much like my own family and extended family! I’ve purposely not written about any specific events from our families’ lives, and yet, the events and relationships in the novels can’t help but draw from the dynamics and personalities we’ve experienced being part of large Christian families. And I guess that’s not necessarily a bad thing! 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

There are SO many authors  I love, it’s hard not to have room to name them all, but a few recent favorites are Cynthia Ruchti, Katie Ganshert, and Courtney Walsh. Also, Susan Meissner, who’s been writing for a long time, but is a relatively new discovery for me. Of course, I’ll always read anything from my long-time favorites, Tamera Alexander (who has been my critique partner for a dozen years or more!), Robin Lee Hatcher, Ann Tatlock, and many more. 

Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before and is it a place you'd set a story?

Oh yes! I dream dream dream of visiting York, England and standing in front of the house where my great-great grandfather lived as a child, before my great-great-great grandparents sailed for America. My grandparents, parents, and several other members of my family have made the trip and gotten to have their photo taken in front of that house. (The current owners are so accommodating to let our family impose on them!) Some day! Here’s a photo of the entry to that house…and now you know why it’s such a dream of mine! 

Where do you write? Can you describe your favorite writing place?

After writing my first few novels at our kitchen table (which was our only table back then!) I have, in the empty nest, a wonderful dedicated office. At my husband’s recommendation, it includes a great coffee bar (featuring my collection of 70+ mugs). I love my office, but whenever possible, I like to write out on our back deck. I love being outside, and the days it’s possible in Kansas are far too rare.

LIGHTNING ROUND   

Coffee or Tea? I enjoy a cup of tea now and then, but coffee is an every-day-twice-a-day necessity.

Laptop or Desktop? Laptop. I haven’t owned a desktop in at least a dozen years. My MacBook Pro is everything I’ll ever need in a computer!

Socks or slippers or both? Barefoot all day every day, except in the deadest of winter, then it’s socks.)

Fingernail Polish: Jazzy or Subtle? Subtle, as in none. I always have my toes polished, but I do too much gardening, painting, and typing to keep fingernails pretty for more than an hour.

Y’all or You Guys? Here in Kansas it’s “you guys”—even if you guys are girls. :)

The Chicory Inn Series

What if it’s too late for dreams to come true?Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans’ son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington’s friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless—and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk. With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after twenty happy years as a stay-at-home mom. She is currently writing a new five-book series, the The Chicory Inn Novels. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, recently traded small-town life in Kansas––the setting of many of Deb's novels––for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita. They love traveling to visit four children and five grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.

Website: http://www.deborahraney.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.raney

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authordebraney

Amazon.com: http://amazon.com/author/deborahraney

CBD.com: http://tinyurl.com/raneybooks 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/deborahraney

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/deborahraney/

Blogs: http://novelgarden.blogspot.com

http://inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/

http://just18summers.com/category/a-happy-home/makeing-your-house-a-home/

Deb, thanks for sharing!


Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe!

Answer Deb's question to be eligible to win a copy of 

Two Roads Home!

What is YOUR favorite Dessert?

I pray you find 

"a little something extra" 

in each of your days.

Marian

Mary Hamilton - See No Evil

Good Monday Morning Readers!

Today, Mary Hamilton visits Lagniappe 
to discuss her latest release, See No Evil.

Welcome, Mary!

Tell us a little about See No Evil.

See No Evil is the third book in my Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. It’s the story of Steven Miller, a blind but capable camper who guards a dark secret. He returns to camp for his last year before graduating and is training for a triathlon to honor his late father. He encounters a cabin buddy who gets involved in a sexting relationship, develops feelings for the girl he’s known from camp for the last thirteen years, and works hard to restore the health of the beloved camp nurse after she’s stricken with cancer. 

It’s an exciting finale to the series.  

If you weren't a writer, what would be another dream job?

I’ve always thought it would be interesting to work with the Red Cross and go help in a disaster. I’m sure it’s much less glamorous than I envision it, with long hours and lots of emotional stress, but the idea of helping people in crisis appeals to me.

What led you to choose the genre in which you write?

Actually, the genre chose me. I wanted to write for adults, but while working on the first story in this series, my critique group convinced me it was a YA story. And once I switched to a young teen’s POV, the writing went so much easier.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I always struggle with the first draft. Rewriting is my favorite, because I can work with words that are already on the page. It’s getting them there in the first place that stumps me.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Tell others--their friends, family, the person sitting next to them on the bus or airplane. Word of mouth sells more books than any advertising. And consider donating a copy to their church or public library.

Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing come from?

My mother often told of my Dad reading the Sunday comics to me while I sat in his lap. I’m not sure if that’s what got me started or not, but of the six kids in my family, I think I was probably the one who did the most reading. And I loved writing letters to friends I met at camp and to a favorite cousin. Maybe it’s simply the way God wove me together.

What can we expect from you in the future?

That’s a good question. I’m hoping to graduate to an older audience with a couple of ideas for women’s fiction. But there’s nothing specific I can tell you at this point.

Connect with Mary:

Website/blog: http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mhamiltonbooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@MHamiltonAuthor

Purchase Links: See No Evil, Book 3 http://amzn.to/1yslU36

                           Speak No Evil, Book 2 http://tinyurl.com/oaleqya

                           Hear No Evil, Book 1 http://tinyurl.com/kl5bovo

LIGHTNING ROUND  

Pride and Prejudice or Gone with the Wind? Pride and Prejudice

Dogs or Cats? Dogs, big dogs.

Steel Magnolias or Fried Green Tomatoes? Steel Magnolias

Superman or Batman? Batman

Vacation: Beach or Mountains? Mountains

 Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a youth camp in southern Wisconsin, much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. While raising her own three children, she was active in her church’s youth ministry, including serving as a camp counselor for a week. She decided once was enough.

When not writing, Mary enjoys knitting, reading and being outdoors. She and her husband make their home in Texas with a rescued Golden Retriever.

Mary, thanks for sharing!


Readers, thanks for visiting Lagniappe. 

Mary's question for you:

If you could go to summer camp with Steven, would you prefer a resort style camp or a get-away-from-it-all setting?

I pray you find 

"a little something extra" 

in each of your days.

Marian