My New Christian Romance Novel -now available!

Sara Wilson, a Christian counselor who also helps with the youth group at church, needs advise herself deciding between two men -- or is it three? An unexpected event makes her decision clear and a long-held secret is exposed, which brings Sara a special blessing that changes her life.

In Stock - Desert Breeze Publishing House

Price: $5.99

Also available through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/A-Special-Blessing-Sara-ebook/dp/B007ULU27S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334582444&sr=8-3

EXCERPT

After the children were tucked in for the night, the men gathered in the living room to watch an NFL playoff game. They joked and made predictions about which teams would go to the Super Bowl.

The women cleaned up the kitchen after dinner and then went into the dining room. They sat around sipping coffee, visiting, and nibbling on homemade cookies.

"Sara, you've lost a lot of weight. Was it intentional?" Tina, who had just turned twenty-six, spoke with concern in her voice.

"No, not really, although I don't mind being thinner. I've just lost my appetite."

"Since you and Jeremy broke up?" Leslie, the middle sister, asked.

"I guess. It hasn't been easy." Sara felt her throat tighten, and she made every effort to look nonchalant.

"He's such a jerk. You're the best thing that ever happened to him," Tina remarked, tossing her long black braid behind her shoulder.

"Well now, girls, Sara might not want to talk about this now. Maybe it was for the best," Joan suggested. "I'm sure there will be another man for her. God will send the right one."

"I thought he was the right one, Mom," Sara admitted, finally allowing her tears to escape.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry we upset you." Her mother came over and sat in the empty chair next to her and patted her arm. "You don't have to talk about it."

"Mom, let her talk. She needs to get it out," Leslie said.

Bob's wife, Lori, nodded in agreement. "We're here for you, if you want to talk."

"I know you are, and I appreciate all of you. I don't know what happened. I mean we were getting along so well, talking about a wedding date, until he started getting picky about everything. I couldn't do anything right. He claimed I was too wrapped up in my work. Maybe I was, but I tried not to discuss my job. Then he said I was getting heavy--"

"You? Heavy? Give me a break." Tina let out a moan.

"Let her talk, Tina," Leslie chided.

"Sorry. Go on, Sara. I'll be quiet."

Sara smiled at her sister. "That's okay, I needed to hear it wasn't true. I was beginning to feel pretty low about myself. He also corrected my grammar sometimes, as if--"

"Now I know you're kidding. You have perfect grammar," Ginny, her other sister-in-law, exclaimed.

"Well, it's not perfect, but neither was he. At least I didn't scold him every time his breath smelled like garlic."

The five women laughed. "Way to go, girl," Ginny encouraged.

"Anyway, we started arguing about everything. I mean everything. My clothes, his haircuts, our meals, and especially about... " Sara hesitated and looked around her.

"Sex?" Tina filled in.

"Yeah, or lack thereof," Sara admitted, embarrassed this conversation was taking place in front of her mother.

"Sara. You didn't... " Her mother looked close to tears.

"No, Mom. That was the problem. He kept pushing me, and I kept resisting."

"He's a Christian man. He knows better," her mother proclaimed.

"Hate to tell you this, Mom," Tina interjected, "but even some Christian guys want sex."

 

An interview with Joan Leotta - writer, storyteller and a Godly woman

Joan Leotta, Storyteller, Spoken Word Artist, and Author

Hi, everyone. This week, Joan Leotta, a fellow writer with Desert Breeze, is kind enough to join me on my blog.

Joan, the first thing I always ask, is why do you write? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?

I write because I love to share what I have found out and I use writing also to explore new worlds of fact and emotion. Storytelling is a big part of my life—performance, oral telling, and writing. I guess this is true since when I was a child, I would scribble “Sentences” and then “read” them to anyone who would listen.

You've almost answered my last question, since I would like to know when you started writing? (More than scribbles.)

As a child. For money, when I was 14—a national magazine published a poem of mine and paid. After leaving my job as an analyst for the government to stay home and raise my children, I began my career as a freelance writer (non-fiction mostly).

How did you get your first break as a writer?

Persistence. I kept after an editor until I had a topic he wanted and then sent him the article “on spec” (That means he could toss it out if he did not like it and would not owe me anything).

Now the only thing I wrote on spec is fiction and poetry

How much time to you spend in preparation? In actual writing? In editing?

Plotting, writing and editing all take a lot of time. Research is a big part of things for me—and thinking about the nature of my characters—who they are, what they should or would do and why.

Formatting has been a bear for me with the Desert Breeze books because I‘ve never prepared a book directly for e-book format before. Exciting. Something new to learn.

Exciting, but sometimes tricky.  Who is your best critic?

My daughter on fiction and my critique group—my husband is great, but he does not like fiction. I read non-fiction aloud and then send it out (after editing, of course)

I'm learning to read my work aloud, too. I think it helps. Tell us about your writing space.

Cluttered. I am a clutter queen. I have a desktop computer in an office filled with papers, books, pictures, and “Stuff”

My laptop accompanies me into other rooms where I write and write.

Time wise - do you write daily? Weekly?

Definitely daily.  Maybe two or three hours unless I am on a crunch—that is actual time at the computer. I am usually writing more than one thing at a time and researching two or three other things at a time as well, for performance or writing.

At the present moment, I am preparing to give a talk on story performance in North Carolina, preparing two or three short fiction and poetry pieces to send out to contests, writing three articles, two under contract for the local paper, one for a woman’s website  (travel) and am working on finishing up an article for a disability website.

At the same time I am researching and plotting the second installment in my Desert Breeze Series.

You are one busy gal! It sounds like you don't have a problem getting inspired. Do you ever have to wait until the mood hits?

No! Inspiration is 90 percent perspiration for me. Walks and breaks and fun with family often provide inspiration.

I’m rarely stuck, but I pray that God will keep it flowing.

My life verse is one which I have seen some other Desert Breeze authors use too—helps confirm that I am with the right group—Psalm 45:1c “ my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”

God gave me this verse before I started to write and perform. I believe He wanted to tell me that I would pursue both of these areas and I have!

I even wrote a long and thoughtful article for the National Storytelling Organization on the relationship of oral and written storytelling, using this verse as my starting point.

Ideas for stories and characters come all the time too. Sometimes faster than I can take notes on them.

Sounds like you don't really need a boost with all your energy, but do you start with coffee?

Definitely. Coffee, breakfast , quiet time of reading Bible and praying, then I check my email, do some words with friends on my computer and get going on writing, researching, interviewing (for fiction and non-fiction) and editing—a little bit of each.

What is your long-term goal?

Honor God with whatever I do.

An excellent goal for each of us. Any advise to wanna-be's?

Yes, keep writing. All the time. Read what you want to write. Read other genres. Read everything.

Get some good books on writing (There are more than I can tell. Check several out at the library and find the one that resonates with you) and when you send something to an editor, follow the directions. Seek criticism and take it in stride. Be prepared to edit your work. Rewrite, edit and rewrite again.

I’ve included a photo of me storytelling.

Thank you so much, Joan. You have quite a resume! Blessings in all your endeavors.
Joan can be reached through the following sites and e-mail address.

www.joanleotta.com

www.joanleotta.blogspot.com

joanleotta@atmc.net

 

First Desert Breeze Book due out in July! It will be Volume 1 in the four part Legacy of Honor Series -- Working Title is "Giulia Goes to War"

 

A note from Dave:

Hi, all!
I was unable to post comments, so my thanks to June for posting this note on my behalf.
And also, my thanks to June for hosting me, and for asking me some very good questions!

Way to go Jude, for winning the free copy of THE ATTACHE! Jude Urbanski is a fellow Desert Breeze author!

I'd like to express my wish for each of you to have a blessed Easter as we remember Jesus' death on the cross. But more than His death, and most importantly, His resurrection which makes salvation for each of us possible!!

Dave Bond

Hi, all
The lucky winner of the copy of Dave's book is Jude Urbanski! Congratulations, Jude. I know you'll enjoy the book.