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.

Interview with David Bond - Author

Dave,  welcome to my blog. It's good to have you with us this week. I'm sure my readers would be interested in learning more about you and your new e-book published by Desert Breeze Publishing House. This may seem like a strange question, but why do you write? Do you prefer fiction or non?

I write for several reasons. First, but not necessarily the main reason, I write because it’s something I can do as a blind person. For years after losing my sight (1988) I sought some kind of traditional employment. When I finally realized I wasn’t meant to travel that particular road, several things happened to point me toward writing. But secondly, and maybe this is more important, I love to write. Plain and simple! I prefer fiction over non-fiction, probably because I read primarily fiction.

When did you begin to write?

I lost my sight in 1988, ended up back at college (Lancaster Bible College) in 1992, and graduated in 1995 with a BS in Bible. I was traditionally employed until 2000, until the ministry I worked for closed its doors. So, somewhere in the early 2000s, I discovered writing and while it was on and off for a few years, I mark the early 2000s as my beginning point for my writing career.

How did you get your first break as a writer?

Around this time (early 2000s), I submitted a short article for a publication and it was accepted. It wasn’t much--earning me a whopping $50—but it was the beginning. I belonged to various online writing lists and read a lot, and at some point, maybe 2007, or 2008, I began to take writing very seriously. I guess my “first break” happened last year, when in May of 2011, my proposal for a trilogy was accepted and I signed my first contract.

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

Unlike many writers these days, I’m able to devote the greater part of most days to writing since I don’t have any other employment. My wife works, and for 9 months of the year, our son is in school. The house is a quiet haven for me during the day, which is my preference for writing. I don’t spend all that much time in preparation, although, as I think about this, I probably spend more time than I realize. Does lying in bed at night, unable to sleep, count as prep time? I’ll come up with a story idea and create a folder, which might have only one file in it. This is the first file to go in that folder, and it’s my “notes” file. This could be my preparation time for a future project. But when I’m ready to write, I write. Having said this, I stop and think in between bursts of writing. As I tell my wife who used to wonder what I was doing—sitting at my computer as if I were sleeping—I’m thinking! AS far as editing, well, this is my least favorite chore. I know it’s vital, and when I’m going through the critiques from my critique group, while I hate it in many ways, I also know how beneficial it is.

Who is your best critic?

Hmmm. No one person. My critique group forms what amounts to my critique force. My wife isn’t a reader, so she isn’t someone I run to for help with my writing. But my mother-in-law is, and I usually have her proof my final author copy.

What is your writing space like?

I’m set up in our living room, where I have a laptop with a USB keyboard attached. It’s parked on a small computer desk, and while I end up separated from my wife and son sometimes, when they’re in the family room watching TV, it does serve as my haven. It’s a good place, and since I require quietness to write, it really does the trick.

Time wise - do you write daily? Weekly?

Daily. I’m trying to force myself not to write on Sundays. The Bible instructs us Sunday is a day of rest. Well, the trouble is, I don’t see writing as work to be perfectly honest. And when I’m in the middle of something—a scene or approaching the end—it’s very hard to walk away from my writing for a day. I don’t necessarily spend 12 hours or whatever writing, as my diabetes requires a good bit of maintenance, and I’m also not a complete drop-out parent or husband!

Do you wait for inspiration?

I guess all of us have a unique definition of inspiration. I label myself as an “inspirational” writer, so it’s probably correct to use this to describe my writing process. But in the Biblical sense, no, I am not inspired. The Scriptures were inspired writings, so I try not to present my writing as something even remotely inspired in the same sense. I might say story ideas pop into my head, as a result of God directing my thoughts. AS I type this, I see I’m sort of talking in circles! Yes, God does direct my thoughts, or at least, He is able if I’m receptive, but no, my writing is not inspired in the same way the Scriptures were.

Okay, big one here. Do you start out with coffee?

Absolutely. I’m the first one downstairs in the morning, and nothing happens until I’ve had coffee! No breakfast, no shower, no writing. One sugar cube, and a healthy dose of French vanilla creamer! I’ll do one more cup when I get ready to start my writing day, which is usually taking care of emails and not actually writing yet.

Dave, what is your goal -  long term?

For the moment, it’s to finish out my 6-book contract! I’m trying to focus on getting this task accomplished, and not just accomplished, but done well. Book 6 will be released November, 2013, with the manuscript due 4 months earlier—July, 2013. So for the moment, my goal is to this end. After that, well, I do have a notes file I’ve started for another trilogy, and which way I go with this remains to be seen. I have plenty of time to figure it out.  6-book contract?

Whoa. That is a challenge.

Any advise to wanna-be's?

Just go for it! Write in an area you are familiar with, but also write about a topic or topics you might happen to have some experience. My debut, The Attaché, has a main character who loses his eye sight. I was able to input a lot of my own experiences into this character, which helps the character, and the story, to be more authentic, but is also a little easier in many ways.


Now please tell us about your new book.

Zack Brenner is blinded after a mortar attack by insurgents in Iraq. The penetrating gaze of a woman he saw in an email before he lost his sight is seared into his memory. A failing family business back home in Pennsylvania awaits his return, and he must learn to live independently as a blind person.  Incredibly, he can’t help fall in love with the woman from the email.

Jessie Weaver narrowly escaped the North Tower on 9/11 after a brief encounter with a handsome visitor who left an attaché behind. She is determined to find him again, and her only hope is to work for the man’s family business, now owned and managed by his blinded brother Zach. Jessie faces a test of loyalty as she questions her devotion to a wandering stranger, versus her growing compassion for Zach.

Seeking to accomplish something, Zach is determined to climb his beloved mountain. A long buried family secret emerges, and a madman threatens the lives of Zack and Jessie. The Attaché is a story about overcoming obstacles, acceptance, and trust.

Is there truth in the words found in Scripture? “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”

It sounds very interesting and you have agreed to offer a free e-book copy to someone selected from those who leave comments. We will select the recipient next Saturday - so please, dear readers, leave Dave a comment here and maybe you'll be the lucky person to receive a copy of his new book. Best wishes, Dave, and thanks for joining me this week.

Book Review for THE LANDLORD

Received a 4-cup (same as 4-star) rating today from a reviewer of Coffee Time Romance Blog. Thought I'd share it with you.

THE LANDLORD JUNE BRYAN BELFIE ISBN- 978-1-61252-121-3 December, 2011 Desert Breeze Publishing http://www.DesertBreezePublishing.com E-book $ 5.99 118 Pages Inspirational/Christian Romance Rating: 4 Cups Kristen has been struggling with finding a job; she has been barely surviving, but is determined to do it on her own. Things soon start to look up with a job teaching art, but her love life is in shambles. Dave happens upon the scene as the new landlord for Kristen’s apartment building. He is engaged, but is unsure of his relationship with his fiancé and finds he has more in common with Kirsten. Even though they got off on the wrong foot, Kristen and Dave seem to form a friendship. Kirsten has feelings that she hopes Dave will reciprocate. Has God drawn them together, or is this just a growing period for them both? What a wonderful sweet romance. I could so connect to Dave and Kristen as I could vividly see the background they lived in because I actually live just a stone’s throw away from where the story is set. How is that for romance in your own backyard! I love the faith in God that the characters have and that they are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs. This was a fun, fast, feel good read with characters you will enjoy reading about. Matilda Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More