Great Book Review!

I had to share a book review I found today for "Winning Mr. Wrong".  It made my day!!  Plus, if you leave a comment, you'll go in the drawing to win a copy of my story. How cool is that?


Book Review

Welcome Cindy Green!

I'm excited to introduce you to my friend, Cindy Green, who is a wonderful Inspirational writer!

Cindy, tell us about yourself.


Hi Marie. Good to be here today. To put it short and sweet, I'm an author, teacher, maid, mother, wife and accountant. I have degrees in history and education and taught middle school up until about six years ago. Now I stay home and homeschool my two boys. I was born in California and now live in North Carolina out in the country about a ½ hour from Raleigh . I've been married for 15 years. I'm published in several genres: Inspirational, historical, contemporary, young adult and suspense. Those are also the genres I like to read. I spend my (non-existent free time) reading, watching period dramas and doing my best to keep this house one step away from becoming a disaster area. To read my more in-depth bio, stop by my website.

Good grief, Cindy, you're a busy woman! I'm surprised you find time to write. What made you start writing?

I feel as though I’ve always been writing. It’s something I did as a preteen and continued into adulthood. I have a folder full of my first attempts at writing. In college, I didn’t do so much fiction writing as I had other things to occupy my mind. When I moved to NC and became a stay at home mom full-time, I started writing again—more as a cathartic thing than anything else. Only after finishing an entire manuscript did I think about publishing when my sisters encouraged me.



Cindy, you're a lot like me in writing before we married then finally start it afterwards. Is there a book that changed your life?

Of course, there is the Bible. It’s the book I live my life by. As a writer there are so many books that I enjoy but I’m not sure I would say they changed my life.


Good answer, Cindy! I have to agree with you there. If you can go back in time, where would you go?

I love the Regency/Georgian period in English history. I’d love to go back and visit—not live permanently as I really like indoor plumbing and modern medicine. I’d love to meet Jane Austen and learn more about writing from her and her uncanny way of observing people.


Cindy, I'm loving how much we're alike!! What is your favorite thing about yourself?

I suppose it’s my perseverance. Once I make a decision I stick with it and see it through. It’s the reason I graduated college. The reason I’m a published author today.



You go, girl! You have so many books out, which is a huge accomplishment, but do you have a favorite? If so, why.

Oh, wow that’s a hard one. I write in several genres and love each of them for different reasons. I guess I’d have to say, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding. I mean, what’s not to like with a title like that, right? There’s a story to that all by itself. This book was my first full novel and it was a learning experience both in the writing and the publishing. I’ve grown as a writer since then, but I this story still affects me. I love the characters and I was amazed at how much my characters in this Inspirational novel affected people. I received emails from fans expressing their thanks for writing this book. I also had a few who asked if my hero, Randy, was a real person because they really wanted to meet him.


I have to admit, that title grabbed me and made me want to read the blurb! So then, what inspired you to write STRUCK BY CONSCIENCE?

Stuck by Conscience is my YA story. It’s the first in a three part teen series called the Faery Guardian series. I love reading YA literature. I think it’s a continuation of the kind of books I loved reading as a kid which continued as I taught middle school. Now my husband says I just won’t grow up. The first book I ever wrote (which remains unpublished) was for the young adult. Struck by Conscience came about because I got the idea of writing about a popular girl who doesn’t want to be popular. She sees the superficialness in it all—in her friends, in the life she chose. So much of teen lit portrays the popular kids as the antagonist. I wanted to show another side.

Tell us more about your story.

It’s a coming of age story, very sweet and cute. My main character Charisma is about to graduate from high school. She’s dealing with starting over as a college student. She also is faced by the decision she made in the last few years which alienated her closest friend, Heath, when she chose popularity over him. It’s received some terrific reviews from review sites but also teen readers. I love those! There is a fantasy element integrated in the story in that my main character has a faery guardian. There really isn’t any magic in the books. They feel more like a fairytale. The faery guardian in this story especially represents the adult figure in her life. She wishes she could get away from her and when that exact scenario arises she wonders if she’s ready for it or not. Just like growing up. I’m working on #2 right now, Sold my Soul to a Frog.




That is awesome, Cindy! Tell us about the exciting contest you’re having.

I’m having a contest to promote my sweet Christmas novel, All I Want for Christmas. The contest is going on now and will end on December 21st. I’m awarding prizes three times. One October 30th. One November 30th and the last one December 21st. To enter: view the book trailer for All I Want for Christmas and email me at contest@cindykgreen.com. In the email, list at least one gift that Kathryn received from her Secret Santa. What will you win? A pdf copy of one of my books as well as some Bath & Body Works goodies and a special chocolate treat—specifically the kind of chocolate my heroine in All I Want for Christmas craves each and every day.

Oh, how exciting! I'm going to check out your book trailer now! So where can readers contact you?

They can visit me at my Website or Blog. In addition, I have a Homeschooling Blog and a Teen Fiction Blog. They can also email me at cindy@cindykgreen.com. I’m on Myspace Facebook Twitter and Twitter for my YA friends. And I have a Newsletter. The latest edition should be going out soon.

Thanks for having me today, Marie.

You are welcome, Cindy!  It was great getting to know you!!

WINNERS!

I want to thank everyone who told me about your hero! It's good to know so many of us look to a father or our husband. I wish I could have given everyone a copy of my book, but I can't. Darn!  But I put all the names in a bowl and my grandson picked a name.

CONNIE BABE is the winner. She won a copy of my paperback - Heart Of A Hero.

Although I don't know who the three winners are from the contest my publisher had on Goodreads for Winning Mr. Wrong... I was told that 1803 people entered my contest. WOWZA!  I'm thrilled!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

~Marie~

Want to win a book?

There are actually a couple of ways to win. My publisher is giving away three copies of Winning Mr. Wrong - click here for more details.

And I am holding my own contest. If you want to win a copy of Heart Of A Hero - my newest release - all you have to do is leave a comment and answer this simple question. Who is your hero and why? Make sure you leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you to let you know if you've won. This contest will go until Oct. 1st.

When Summer Bennett returns to Richfield after a five-year stint at her aunt’s finishing school, she discovers a lot has changed. Her father has suffered a crippling injury, and Summer is desperate to get the money to pay for surgery that could allow him to walk again. She hears of a reward offered for the capture of a cunning gang of bank robbers, and her years of etiquette training fall by the dusty roadside.



What Summer doesn’t count on in her quest to capture the bandits is the competition from her family’s longtime friend, Jesse Slade. Now a deputy marshal and local hero, Jesse keeps thwarting Summer’s plans, just like he did when she wore pigtails. She would like nothing more than to use Jesse’s head for a slingshot target, but soon Summer finds her aim shifting from his head to his heart. Problem is, Jesse is engaged to her sister Violet.


For seven years, little Summer Bennett was the burr under Jesse’s saddle. Now he feels a different irritation as Summer is always on his mind—whether he wants her to be or not. But Summer’s father expects him to marry Violet, and he won’t let him down. So why does Jesse find himself encouraging Summer’s attentions, and why do sparks fly every time they are together?


~Marie~

Heart Of A Hero - available now!

I honestly can't believe it. I got to hold my second book - Heart Of A Hero - today. My head is still spinning just thinking about how quickly all of this is going for me. Soon, this story will stand next to Winning Mr. Wrong in the book stores!

For all those Christian readers - and all those readers who love historicals - this is the story for you!!!  Check out the book trailer to the right of this blog. My friend, Ginger Simpson, did an awesome job putting this story into a video! Love the music, too!

There's a new hero in town . . .



When Summer Bennett returns to Richfield after a five-year stint at her aunt’s finishing school, she discovers a lot has changed. Her father has suffered a crippling injury, and Summer is desperate to get the money to pay for surgery that could allow him to walk again. She hears of a reward offered for the capture of a cunning gang of bank robbers, and her years of etiquette training fall by the dusty roadside.


What Summer doesn’t count on in her quest to capture the bandits is the competition from her family’s longtime friend, Jesse Slade. Now a deputy marshal and local hero, Jesse keeps thwarting Summer’s plans, just like he did when she wore pigtails. She would like nothing more than to use Jesse’s head for a slingshot target, but soon Summer finds her aim shifting from his head to his heart. Problem is, Jesse is engaged to her sister Violet.


For seven years, little Summer Bennett was the burr under Jesse’s saddle. Now he feels a different irritation as Summer is always on his mind—whether he wants her to be or not. But Summer’s father expects him to marry Violet, and he won’t let him down. So why does Jesse find himself encouraging Summer’s attentions, and why do sparks fly every time they are together?


*excerpt*


The deputy marshal must be the one holding me. She let her body relax against the contours of his body. Normally, she wouldn’t want to be protected and cared for by a man, but at the moment she was reluctant to break the spell.

She dared a peek at his face. His deep blue eyes grabbed her attention. Kind eyes. Sunlight glinted off the golden tones of his light brown hair. He must have sensed her watching, for his square jaw changed shape and a soft smile bracketed his mouth.

He was very handsome. She couldn’t have dreamed up a better vision of a hero, and dream it must be because things this good just didn’t happen to her. Safety and security spread over her like a warm blanket and she melted against him, closing her eyes while his long fingers continued to stroke her cheek. It was the first time in her life she had allowed a man to touch her like that—a soft stroke, a gentle caress—and the first time she had ever really relaxed in a man’s presence.

She sighed. Wonderful.

“How do you feel, Summer?”

The soft baritone voice rumbling in his chest seemed oddly familiar. Summer frowned and took a second peek at his hair and his mouth. He gave her a full smile. Awareness tugged at her memory and a large knot formed in the pit of her stomach. When recognition came, it struck like a thick piece of wood right between her eyes. She jerked, moving off the comfortable nest she had made of his chest.

“Jesse Slade?”

A crafty smile claimed his face. “The one and only, darlin’.”

She widened her eyes. “Darlin’? I’m not now, nor will I ever be your darling, Jesse Slade.” She couldn’t believe her rotten luck. She fought to move from his grasp, batting his hands away. “Get your hands off me.”

“Be still Summer, or—”

“Let me go,” she demanded.

“Tarnation, Summer.” His hands moved to her waist. “You’re as slippery as a wet weasel.”

“Quit touching me and put me down.”

Although he tried to hold onto her, she managed to slither from the horse.

“Of all the confounded foolish female stunts.” He pulled the horse to a halt and dismounted.

The moment her feet touched the ground, dizziness overtook her and she plopped down on her bottom. When Jesse reached for her, she slapped at his hands.

She glanced up at him from her undignified position and clenched her teeth. “You. Of all people, it had to be you.” Holding onto a stirrup, she pulled herself to her feet and gazed into the heavens. “Why Lord? Why me?”

“There’s no need to get your feathers ruffled.” Jesse looked at the blood oozing from her shoulder wound. “Look what you’ve done. You’re bleedin’ again.”

She glanced at her injury. It was worse than she thought, but she’d die before admitting it to him. She was not riding into town perched on Jesse’s lap for the whole town to see.

Click to purchase


~Marie~