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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Spotlight on Lena Nelson Dooley and Prairie Romance Collection

Wow, it's been 2 weeks since I've posted. Amazing how time flies when you're caught up with a newborn. :) I'll have a bonus spotlight this week to make up for missing last week. That'll come tomorrow. Stay tuned!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Because she's multi-published with both Heartsong and Barbour, several of LENA NELSON DOOLEY's books were voted top ten favorites in their reader poll, and she has been voted a top ten favorite author. She's recently signed a contract with Summerside Press.

A long-time member of ACFW, Lena loves to mentor unpublished authors. She has hosted a writing critique group in her home for over twenty years. Thirteen of the people in that group have become published in book-length form. She was also involved in establishing the local ACFW chapter, DFW Ready Writers.

In addition to editing novels for other authors, she also has been involved in editing several non-fiction Christian books. She has done editing for several businesses. One time, she even wrote comedy routines for a Christian comedian.

Lena speaks at writing groups and women's groups as well as at regional and national conferences. She writes, edits, and speaks full-time.

THE PRAIRIE ROMANCE COLLECTION and WILD PRAIRIE ROSES
by Lena Nelson Dooley
Published by Barbour Publishing

ABOUT THE BOOKS

THE PRAIRIE ROMANCE COLLECTION

A Full Dozen Historical Romance Stories

Expanding western borders, turning the land, and finding a place in which to live and love defines the pioneer Heart. Within this unique collection are twelve complete stories of romance on the American Great Plains penned by twelve different multi-published authors.

After the Harvest by Lynn A. Coleman
Love Notes by Mary Davis
Mother’s Old Quilt by Lena Nelson Dooley
The Tie That Binds by Susan K. Downs
A Heart’s Dream by Birdie L. Etchison
The Bride’s Song by Linda Ford
The Barefoot Bride by Linda Goodnight
Prairie Schoolmarm by JoAnn A. Grote
The Provider by Cathy Marie Hake
Freedom’s Ring by Judith McCoy Miller
Returning Amanda by Kathleen Paul
Only Believe by Janet Spaeth

Enjoy history relived through the pioneer’s adventures, heartaches, challenges, victories, and romance. You are sure to have more than one favorite to warm your heart and encourage your faith.

WILD PRAIRIE ROSES

Lost Gold Leads to a Treasure Trove of Romance

In the decade following the Civil War, rumors of gold lost near Browning City, Iowa, lead three couples on quests for treasure.

Constance Miller’s father’s dying request sends her on a manhunt. Once in Iowa, local blacksmith Hans Van de Kieft shadows her every step. Will Constance find more than she bargained for in riches of the heart?

Among a family famous for their heroics, Tara Young seeks the chance to make a name for herself recovering the gold cache. Government agent Aaron Jefferson is on a similar mission. Can they work together, or will the prize remain elusive to them both?

Lily Reese can’t wait to leave her boring town—until Ben Purcell arrives, looking to set down his roots. When stories of treasure sweep them both into a whirlwind of danger, will they each have to give up their dreams to reap a reward?

Can the little town of Browning City handle so much excitement? Will it relinquish its treasure or reveal it in matters of the heart?

Buy Your Copy of The Prairie Romance Collection and Wild Prairie Roses today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

For The Prairie Romance Collection, Barbour chose 12 prairie romance novellas by multi-published authors from former novella collections. For Wild Prairie Roses, Laurie Alice, Lisa Harris, and I wanted to write a three-book Heartsong series set in historical Iowa. Laurie Alice had lived there, and I've been through the state numerous times. She suggested that we use the real, historical lost gold shipment as a thread to tie the stories together.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, and so did my heroine. Beyond that, the rest was pure fiction.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Constance would be vanilla with bits of peppermint in it. She was always full of surprises. Hans would be vanilla. He was stable and could be depended on.

4. Are there any themes in The Prairie Romance Collection and Wild Prairie Roses that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

In The Prairie Romance Collection, each story has its own theme. My story Mother's Old Quilt is about forgiveness. With Wild Prairie Roses the overshadowing theme is that true love is a greater treasure than any cache of gold.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Both of these stories were fun to write. Of course, I love writing the romance arc, but I also love writing the spiritual arc. And I love to develop the characters as much as the word count will allow.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next release is Cranberry Hearts also a repack of Heartsongs. Lisa Harris and Elizabeth Goddard are the other authors. They are all three romantic suspense novels. In mine, Who Am I?, my heroine finds out that her life has been one big lie. She has to learn to forgive those who lied to her and accept the love of God again.

* * * * *

Thank you, Lena, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of either Prairie Romance Collection and Wild Prairie Roses. We'll have 2 winners for this spotlight.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

10 comments:

Linda said...

I would LOVE to win "THE PRAIRIE ROMANCE COLLECTION" as they are historical romance. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE historicals.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

windycindy said...

Either book of stories sounds fabulous to me. Please enter my name in your drawings. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Carole said...

These books sound like a good "comfort" read to me. Thanks so much for the contest.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Merry said...

I would love a chance to win the Prairie Romance Collection (I have Wild Prairie Roses coming my way already!). Thanks so much!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Edna said...

Lena I would love to win the books, you know how I love them and I read so much. Please enter me into the drawing,

May God Bless

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Cheryl Abney said...

Lena: My love of historical romance has prompted my writing a story set in my Florida in 1918. Lately, editing it has taken a backseat to my full-time counseling job. Receiving your Prairie Romance collection would be motivation. By the way, I've had the privilege of talking with one of the authors- Lynn Coleman--at the Miami Writers Group some time ago. God bless, Cheryl
cherylabney@embarqmail.com

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Yay Lena! You are a treasure full of stories of God's mercy and grace.

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Nice interview! I especially loved the question of what flavor of ice cream where the H/H in the book! Awesome! I'd love a chance to win.
sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to be included for Prairie Romance Collection. Reading that would be a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

cheryl c said...

IF it is not too late, please toss my name in the hat for The Prairie Romance collection. :-)

Cheryl
castings[at]mindspring[dot]com