Monthly Giveaway: Be Not Afraid

For the month of January we are combining our monthly giveaway with our author spotlight! Enjoy!

~~

Welcome Deborah! To begin with, can you tell us a little about yourself?  
Sure.  I’m married to my wonderful husband, Scott, and have been for 39 years.  We have 3 grown children.  So far we’ve been blessed with two grandsons, but believe more grandchildren will be added down the way.  I retired from dispatching at a trucking company after 30 years of service so I could pursue my writing career.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?  Who or what inspired you? 
I was in an accident that laid me up for a couple of months.  While reading so many books, one day I said, “Lord, I think I could write one of these.”  And God took me serious.  Immediately He gave me the idea for my first novel, and He didn’t stop there.

How long did you write before you were published?
I had been writing for over twenty years before my first book was published.  Grace, a Gift of Love is the title and it was the second novel I wrote twenty years before being published.  At that time I had written 18 novels in various stages of completion.

How many books have you published?  What are their names, and who are they published by?
I have four published novels.  The first two, Grace, a Gift of Love and All in God’s Time were published by Tate Publishing.  My 3rd and 4th book released at the same time.  The 3rd book is Be Not Afraid, which was published by Oak Tara Publishers.  And my 4th one, Passion from the Heart was published by CrossBooks, a division of LifeWay.

How did you get the inspiration for your book, Be Not Afraid? 
One night while working dispatch on the night shift, I heard a sound outside the window at 2 in the morning and an idea for a suspense novel started spinning in my head…what if… what if…so many ideas kept spinning and Be Not Afraid was born.

What's your favorite part of this story? 
When Samantha makes the ultimate sacrifice as she faces fear, but thinking she is helping the man she’s fallen in love with, and then finds she has put her own life in jeopardy.  It’s a very fast paced scene and keeps the pages turning.  I also enjoyed the light heartedness shared over a dinner, introducing an old friend to Matthew’s new love.

What was the hardest part to write? 
I’d have to say the ending was the hardest to write, because I didn’t want it to stop. 

What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers in Be Not Afraid?
No matter what problems or trials come your way, if you trust in the Lord, He will see you through each and every one.

If your book, Be Not Afraid, was turned into a movie, what actor would best resemble what you have pictured for the heroine and/or hero to look like? What are the hero and/or heroine’s name? Can you describe a few main physical features that they have? 
When Be Not Afraid was first written, Pierce Brosnan was a younger actor, and he was the face I saw as I wrote—with his coal black hair and penetrating blue eyes.  Today it would have to be Orlando Bloom for Detective Matthew Jefferies, and Zooey Deschanel for Samantha Cain.  Samantha’s brown hair is long and straight and her eyes are a vivid green that any emerald would envy—if gems had emotions.  My heroine is a strong independent woman, but she had to work hard to get to that point in her life.  My detective is more than the job.  He cares, deeply, about everyone.   

What are you writing right now? Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for? 
The second in the Samantha Cain series will be coming out.  My publisher said they are ready for it.   I’ve taken a few months off writing to be with my husband as he battles lung cancer.  This is a winning battle because Jesus has already defeated the disease.  I write very little at the moment, but my family is my priority, after God.  And God blessed me when He connected me with Oak Tara Publishers.  They are very understanding.

Here’s a fun question I wanted to throw in: If you could pick any historical figure from history to chat with, whom would it be and why?
The pioneer woman because she worked so hard without all the simplicities in life that we have today…but she pushed through and stood by her man as she took care of the children.

What's your favorite genre to write? To read?  
What ever story God puts on my heart, I want to write.  Sometimes the story line He’s given me is a romance with a message, and always a family within the pages, while other times its mystery or suspense with a little romance mixed within.  He’s given me a couple new ideas I have worked on, but have put aside at the moment.  To read, I like fiction, with mystery, whether it small or large, with a page turning quality that makes me care about what happens to the characters.  And if there is a romance in there, it’s alright by me.  One of my favorite authors is Jill Elizabeth Nelson.  Dee Henderson is right at the top also.

Anything else about writing, yourself, or your books you’d like to add? 
In my early days, up until I fell in love and got married, I thought I was going to become an actress.  I loved playing different rolls.  And one day God showed me a way to play all the characters in a story…write them.  I love my life.  Also, Moore by Design is working on a trailer for Passion from the Heart and it will be on my web site soon, along with the trailer for Be Not Afraid (designed by Orrin’s Video Productions).  If you haven’t seen that one yet, check it out at:  http://www.author-deborahlynne.com/

Where can readers find out more about your books? 
You can order all four on line through Amazon.com or Christianbook.com or any other books on line store, or ask your favorite book store to order them for you.  LifeWay carries my newest romance which is Passion from the Heart.
~~
Be Not AfraidToday we are giving away a copy of Be Not Afraid by Deborah Lynne! :-) Thank you, Deborah, for providing this book for the giveaway today!
Giveaway Rules: You must be/become a follower of Book Ponderings AND include your email address with your initial comment. USA only, please. This giveaway begins today and ends Friday, the 28th of January. The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on the 29th. This winner will be notified by the email address they leave in their comment. If the winner doesn't respond within 5 days, we will randomly pick another winner. Have fun!
For Extra Entries:
- Subscribe to this blog(+1)
- Grab our button(+1)
- Post about our giveaway on your blog(+2)
- Twitter this giveaway(+1 per tweet per day)
- Comment on our weekly book discussion (Mondays) or history posts(Tuesday)(+2)

Please seperate each entry with a seperate comment.

~ Katy

54 comments:

Tea said...

I enjoyed the interview. I would love to read "Be Not Afraid." The main message of the book is one I have to daily remember and strive, with the Lord's help, to keep in my own life.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a follower of Book Ponderings.

Tea said...

I have blogged about the giveaway on my blog. It links back to you. The giveaway book is mentioned in the sidebar.(+2)

http://teaandinspiration.blogspot.com

Tea said...

Tweeted about the giveaway at http://twitter.com/buttonsandpins/

Unknown said...

"Be Not Afraid" sounds amazing. And I love the bit about your husband having lung cancer. That's a true test of faith.

I am a follower!

perhapsthatsridiculous (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I have your button.

perhapsthatsridiculous (at) gmail (dot) com

misskallie2000 said...

I love mystery and suspense with romance in my reading. Be Not Afraid sounds like a book I will love to read. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us. Will be adding your books to my wish list. So glad your husband is doing so well. God bless you and your family.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Forgot to say I am an old GFC Follower in first comment.

+1 I am old email subscriber

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Ariel Wilson said...

This book sounds interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!

I am a follower, and a subscriber.

pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/25322291957075968

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Linda said...

I became a follower.
Your book sounds very good to me. Love mysteries. And you look like my niece, red hair and all!

I'm an 'ole' subscriber.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Sounds like a great book! I love mystery and suspense!

I'm a follower.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I'm also an email subscriber.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Charity U said...

I follow by blogger, I guess. :) You show up on my blogger dashboard. Enter me please!

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

I have to say, I love when she says "...her eyes are a vivid green that any emerald would envy -- if gems had emotions." I LOVE that phrase! :)

Charity U said...

Your button is on Austenitis!

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

Charity U said...

I'm subscribed!

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

Charity U said...

Okay, I know I only needed to post on one blog about this, and I also know that I don't get double entries for posting twice. However, I did. :) This is my first entry for posting: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/01/another-book-giveaway.html

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

Charity U said...

And my second entry: http://giveawaysgalore82.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-giveaway.html

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

Charity U said...

Also, I already commented on 'Book Review: On the Run."

photographer4ever832 [at] gmail [dot] com

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this book. I follow via GFC. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Vivien said...

Fantastic! Follower

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

MaureenT said...

I enjoy a good Christian mystery. Thanks for writing books in that genre!
I subscribe to this blog by email!


alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I follow this blog on GFC


alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

I posted this giveaway on my Blog

http://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

#2 I posted this giveaway on my Blog

http://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

MaureenT said...

1/13 Tweet

Timmy1966

http://bookponderings.blogspot.com/#giveaway.Be.Not.Afraid

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

This sounds amazing! I'm following.

Emily.kreger2@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I've subscribed! :)

Emily.kreger2@gmail.com

Charlotte Kay said...

I am a GFC follower:)
Charlotte Kay
charsaltz at yahoo dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

I am a subscriber:)
charsaltz at yahoo dot com

Ammy Belle said...

Thislooks like it's going to be an awesome book! Thanks so much for the head's up! Please enter me in the contest! :)
apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com

I am a follower, have a subscription.

misskallie2000 said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/25689851714084864

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
karenk said...

thanks for the opportunity to read this novel...

i'm a follower (and email subscriber)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/26118707973455872

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/26414040083333120

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/26807038994550784

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Daily tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/27883825988116480

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Deborah's website is under construction, but I was impressed. Her design and idea is coming through beautifully. Her writing is new to me as is Deborah. She certainly has the spirit of writing for the glory of God. I'd like very much to read her book. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win Deborah's book. I hope I win!!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Unknown said...

I am a GFC subscriber.

Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

windycindy said...

I enjoy reading Christian fiction. Mysteries are
a favorite genre of mine! I follow your blog via
Google Friend Connect...
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am also an email subscriber to your blog!
Again, many thanks...Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/29350127135096832.
Merci, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

lgm52 said...

Sounds intriguing!
I follow via gfc
lgm52@hotmail.com

lgm52 said...

I'm an email subscriber
lgm52@hotmail.com

Tressa said...

This book sounds really good. GFC follower.
tressa dot sherman at hotmail dot com
Carman sent me.

windycindy said...

"Daily Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/30363037902835712.
Many thanks!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

DEBIJOT said...

GFC follower
debijo4545 at aol dot com

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! I'm a follower.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/30854017877811200

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

loveangel132 said...

Carman sent me. Thank you for the giveaway, it looks like a really good read! I subscribed to your blog as well!

Loveangel132@yahoo.com

Madonna said...

I am following on GFC
madonnal@gmail.com

Nancy said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

#1
I commented on a history post: the March Sisters.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

#2
I commented on a history post: the March Sisters.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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