Monday, December 23, 2013

Susan Fish ~ Seeker of Stars


It's my pleasure to welcome my final guest author for 2013, Susan Fish. Susan's a writer, poet and editor living with her family in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  A former Director of Communications for Habitat for Humanity Canada, Susan has been writing and editing for clients for nearly two decades, and operates Storywell, a company that helps people tell their stories well. She has been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for fiction and poetry. She blogs at susanfishwrites.wordpress.com

Seeker of Stars 

As a boy, Melchior is fascinated by stars but has rigid obligations to apprentice with his rug-making father. When his life is radically changed, he is propelled onto a new path full of danger and glory in pursuit of a special star. The journey leads Melchior to reflect on life and death, dreams and duty, and to find unusual reconciliation within his family and with the God he never knew he sought. Destined to become a classic, Seeker of Stars offers a fresh retelling of the story of the magi, and will appeal to people of all ages and faiths.

Susan says...

If I could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, it would be...Saint Petersburg, Russia because I would love to see the art at the Hermitage, because I’m writing a novel with a character who was born in Russia, and because I would love to experience its famed White Nights where the sun doesn’t really set. My husband is not so keen on this idea and right now I imagine Russia would be rather cold so my plan B would be a return visit to the Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney. Ah, excellent first AND second choice, Susan. :) 

One thing I enjoyed today is...An early morning walk with my dog after a light, early snowfall that has made everything fresh and bright. The sun is watery and pale and the trees are bare and any bit of colour stands out brilliantly.

A secret pleasure of mine is...Playing hide and seek with my children. They are all teenagers now but we all love it – at least I know I do. My heart pounds every time I hide.

A moment that changed my life is...probably the birth of my first child. All through the pregnancy, I didn’t quite believe I could be The Mother, but when he was born and I looked at his face, I thought, “Ohhh…I can be your mother.” That's really cute. :)


When I was a child I wanted to...I can think of three things I wanted to do or thought I could do as a child. I dreamed of flying and wanted to be able to do so; I thought one day I would be able to know everything there was to know and to have read all the books there were to read; and I wanted to grow up to be a writer of stories.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but...I’m a pretty fearful person – snakes, heights, some public speaking. My mother always says that I have a vivid imagination that needs to be engaged or it will find something to fix on. She’s right so it’s a good thing that I am a writer, I think. Thanks for joining us, Susan. I love the premise of your book, Seeker of Stars. 

*****

If you'd like to end the year with a Christmas inspired story, enter in the comments below with the name of your favourite Christmas carol or song, and you'll be in the running to win a copy of Seeker of Stars

I love Go Tell It On The Mountain. How about you? 

Good luck and happy reading,

Monday, December 16, 2013

Cara Putman ~ Shadowed By Grace


It's my pleasure to welcome Cara Putman to Ink Dots this week, and celebrate the upcoming release of her latest book, Shadowed By GraceCara's the award winning author of 17 novels. You can learn more about her and her books at www.caraputman.com. You can read the first chapters of all her books (including Captive Dreams) there. Her next novel, Shadowed by Grace, releases on January 1 ~  just in time for Christmas gift cards. You can connect with Cara on

Shadowed by Grace

She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel’s real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined—in war, in love, and in God.

Cara says...

If I could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, it would be...Florence! I am dying to go see so many of the places that I wrote about in Shadowed by Grace. While I’ve been to London, the French Rivera and Germany, I’ve yet to spend any time in Italy, and dream of traveling in Tuscany. Oh... can I carry your bags to Florence? Anywhere in Europe sounds wonderful to this far-away Aussie. 

One thing I enjoyed today is...Spending time with my kiddos and husband. Our lives are very busy so being able to connect and have fun together is very important to me.

A secret pleasure of mine is...finding the perfect gift for my friends. I love finding something different and unique for them that lets me know I see them and what they love.

A moment that changed my life is...when my husband asked me to marry him. He’s been my staunchest cheerleader on each crazy adventure I undertake. Whether it’s writing, teaching at a major American university or going back to school for yet another degree, he supports me in all the ways he can.

When I was a child I wanted to...be a writer, but didn’t think it could happen. Along my journey several authors have encouraged me and God has opened some pretty amazing doors for me. I’m so grateful for the way He took a long-held dream and breathed life into it and blessed it. 

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but...I don’t like chocolate. Really. Well, at Christmas time I love the Hershey kisses that are white chocolate and peppermint, but my husband insists that’s not real chocolate!  I'm sure there's enough choc-a-holics out there to take your share of the real stuff, Cara. :) 

***** 

Whether you're a lover of chocolate, or not... I'm sure you'll love to sink your teeth into Cara's Shadowed by Grace, early in 2014. Tell us about your favourite Christmas treat in the comments below and you'll be in with a chance to win your own copy. 

My all-time favourite is my mother's Christmas stollen. Loaded with aromatic spices and dried fruit, I wish she made it all year round. 

What's yours....? 

Good luck and happy reading,

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Rose Dee ~ A New Resolution Blog Tour


Welcome to a fabulous week of prizes on offer thanks to ACRBA and award winning Australian author, Rose Dee. 

Rose was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel. Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, Back to Resolution. Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women. Rose's other releases include Beyond Resolution - the second book in the 'Resolution' series. And A New Resolution  the final book in the series. Rose has also co-written a novel in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian Authors: The Greenfield Legacy. Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle. 

A New ResolutionResolution Island is a safe haven for Anika Demeur - a chance to fulfil dreams, find her place in the world, and a new life for her and young son, Kye. But her dreams of a future are shattered when her son's security is challenged, and the rich and privileged Texan, Nate Hollingsworth sails into the bay. Now Ani must not only fight for her son, but also a growing attraction she has to the one type of man she loathes.

Nate is on a mission - to fulfill his mother's last wish, and change his life. Dropping anchor in the idyllic Resolution harbor, he didn't anticipate becoming involved in illegal fishing, a murder, or an unexpected attraction to the most exasperating woman he has ever met.

The Australian tropical Island, Resolution, sets the scene again for adventures, dreams, and new beginnings. A New Resolution is the final book in the 'Resolution' trilogy, following Back to Resolution and Beyond Resolution.

So what's on offer in this fabulous giveaway? 

FIRST PRIZE:
E-Reader (Details below) AND: an e-reader version of each one of my 4 novels – the 3 ‘Resolution’ series novels, and The Greenfield Legacy (gifted via email).
E-Reader:
Reader™ with 6.0" paper-like touch screen (Red)
Model:
PRST2RC
This slim and light Reader with touch screen puts thousands of your favourite stories at your fingertips. Effortlessly turn the page with a swipe of your finger and the glare-free screen reads just like a real book, even under direct sunlight.
         6" E-Ink® Pearl is designed to feel like a real book with a glare-free paper-like screen for reading
         Battery life of up to 2 months with wireless off and up to 1.5 months with wireless on. Up to 30,000 continuous page turns when reading only
         Let your friends and family know what you are reading and share excerpts up to 140 characters with Facebook® built into the Reader™
         Store posts, articles, and text-based webpages all in your Reader™ with Evernote’s integrated services
         Access public library eBooks and PDF files through the integrated OverDrive® service
         eBook purchases will need to be completed via computer

SECOND PRIZE:
A copy of ‘The Greenfield Legacy’, and a Silver and Amber Grapevine inspired pendant. Really pretty, and ties in nicely with TGL as it is set on a vineyard in the McLaren Vale region. Also the cover is pendant inspired.


THIRD PRIZE:
A personalised sign copy of each books in my ‘Resolution’ Series. 3 hard copy books in total.

Here's how to enter. In the comments below, tell us what part of North Queensland you'd like to visit or leave a question for Rose. Contest closes Thursday Dec 12. Open to Australian residents only. You may comment here AND Australasian Christian Writers to double your chance of winning. 

Good luck and happy reading,