Calm Before the Storm only $2.99 by B. J. Robinson

Vera Minette Bradley lost too many loved ones in her life, and she wanted answers. Was it God's timing, someone playing God, or hospital error? This 18 chapter novel explores these questions when Vera returns to a small town she fled during the threat of a hurricane because her sister is ill and hospitalized. Jesus is our refuge through the storms of life, and Vera, her loved ones, and friends go through many in this inspirational romantic suspense. If you're a fan of humor, romance, suspense, mystery, or inspirational novels, enjoy this one for only $2.99. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJWSF5A

The Next Big Thing Blog Post

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:


I was nominated by Rita Garcia for The Next Big Thing Blog Post.

Today it’s my turn to talk about my upcoming book Calm Before the Storm. At the end of the post, I’ll nominate another writer who will post their own answers about their book next week.

What is the working title of your book?

Calm Before the Storm

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The storm of illness that hits and destroys so many families. I lost my youngest sister to an eating disorder.

What genre does your book fall under? Christian inspirational romantic suspense.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Roma Downey and Kirk Cameron

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Vera Minette Bradley was the first woman to fight off the pain medication and the only one to leave the hospital alive.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-published or published by a publisher, but at this point, probably self-published.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? It is still in the works, but I expect to complete it this spring.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I don't know of any in my genre, but I do know there are many books published on the topic of eating disorders. However, my novel is not focused on eating disorder, though it is one topic.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? The loss of my mother and sister six years apart.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Vera tried to fight off the shot as the nurse thrust the needle at her hip. She'd fought them in the ambulance, too, but there were too many of them, too many arms holding her down. She tried to tell the nurse she'd had a pain shot en route to the hospital, but to no avail. She felt the sharp prick of the needle and prayed before she went under.

Three years later, Myrtle tried desperately to open her eyes. She wanted to awaken one more time to see her youngest daughter's big brown eyes. She had to say goodbye.

Six years later, Bridgett made her last telephone call.

Eight years later, Glory went into a deep sleep and never woke.

What did all these women have in common? They'd all had pain medication at the same hospital. Was someone playing God, or was it truly their time to go? The story of five women. Only one leaves the hospital alive.

My published novels include Last Resort, Southern Superstitions, Whispering Cypress, and One Rainy Summer. They are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Sony, and Christianbooks.com. You may check out all my available titles on Kindle at this link http://www.amazon.com/BJ-Robinson/e/B007DNJIKU

Naomi Musch is nominated to discuss her upcoming book next week. Stay tuned.

 

 

A Ragdoll Christmas

I'm thrilled to be a part of the fabulous showcase of twenty-five talented authors for the Grace-Filled Christmas Blog Tour. I want to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my readers, Facebook friends, and family. As we remember the reason for the season, may God bless you and yours with a heart-warming, safe holiday season. Jesus is the reason for all seasons.

A Ragdoll Christmas and Other Short Stories hold precious Christmas memories, though all are not so happy. "The Little Pink Washing Machine" brings back days of happily walking to town with my father, and I treasure those precious memories. It is an excerpt from a work-in-progress, and "Growing up on Fairytales," is a prequel to that same work. Once completed, you'll find other Christmas stories included as well as stories of growing up in a small town. The book itself is not a book of only Christmas stories, but a book young adults will enjoy that tells the story of a gutsy girl who lost her father at four years old on Christmas Day in Southern small-town America. Autobiographical, nonfiction Christmas stories.

 

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let's remember the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus, and understand that while some are happy and celebrating, others may be going through a Ragdoll Christmas. I've had my share, but I'm thankful to God for the precious memories and the lessons learned about life through all the joy, heartache, pain, and sadness. God has His plans, and good comes shining through even in dark situations, though we may not always see it as we're in the midst of the storm. Sometimes, it may be years later, after the storm clouds have dissolved, before we realize our rainbow of blessings.

No, I'm not having a fancy fiber-optic Christmas this year. You'll understand when you read the story about that one. I'm having a simple Christmas at home. I pray all of my readers have a blessed Christmas season with many rainbow blessings to come and that you enjoy my writing. Thank you for taking a chance on it and supporting my work as an author. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A Cozy Fireside Christmas

A Cozy Fireside Christmas

 

I remember a cozy Christmas spent in a Holden cabin in the woods with a roaring fire, hot chocolate, and a rocking chair by the fireside. A cedar tree decorated the picture window. The lights on the tree flickered and glowed with the flickering firelight. Christmas music filled the air, and I listened in peaceful solitude as I rocked by the fire.

My son Rodney was about twelve and those were the days, the days of enjoying my son and shopping for his Christmas gifts. We lived in the woodlands of Holden, Louisiana, and he wanted a tent for Christmas that year. He got his tent among other gifts. Reflecting back, I can still see him camped out on the hillside behind our cabin in the woods, the cabin I used to call my Walden. For, I always said, if a man could have his own cabin in the woods, his own Walden, why couldn’t a woman? As Henry David Thoreau had his Walden, I, too, had mine.

Christmas was kept simple, but simple was good enough for us. Enjoying the simple things in life can bring the greatest pleasures. Life is about learning how to enjoy the simple things and taking advantage of them. When I look back on days gone by, sometimes I wish I could go back to the past instead of back to the future for just one day and relive some of those days. I would know to enjoy them while I had them the second time around, wouldn’t I?

Now, Christmas decorations are no longer so simple. We no longer go into the woods and chop down a cedar tree. This year, I have the newest style going, a fiber optic Christmas tree. A simple star no longer adorns the top. A fiber optic angel has taken the place of the star. My son is now grown and gone with kids of his own. They live in another state, so I don’t get to see them for Christmas. My yard is the best decorated it has ever been, but my baby boy is not here to share it.

Simple is better. A fancy decorated yard is empty without children to share it. If I could trade it all for the simple times, I would do it in a blink. Appreciate the simple things in life, because they are the best, the things that money can’t buy, the things that you can’t get back once they are gone.

Some of the best years of my life were when my son was about twelve, but I didn’t know it then. Why are we always in such a hurry for everything? I spent my days in a hurry to obtain my education, in a hurry to do everything. In life’s hustle and bustle, in my haste, I forgot to take the time to enjoy the simple things while I had them. I was in such a hurry to live life that I really didn’t live life. I let life live me.

Don’t let life live you, or it will pass you by. Live life and enjoy it to its fullest. Enjoy each day and take each day one day at a time, being thankful for the day you have.

While I will never be able to go back and see my twelve year old son camped in a tent on the hillside, perhaps I will see my grandsons’ faces lighted with joy as they someday receive a tent from grandma for Christmas. Perhaps, it is meant for grandparents to get to relive the days of rearing their children through their grandchildren, a chance to do better and appreciate it more the second time around.

Now, there is one thing that could still make this fancy fiber-optic Christmas special, if only my grandchildren could see my fancy decorated yard. Somehow sharing it with them from another state, with only pictures, is just not the same as being able to see shining eyes and glowing faces. Though my youngest son is now a grown man, being able to share it with him would make it special again. Decorations and presents don’t make Christmas special. People do.

Christmas today is a yard of blow-ups: Santa, Snowman, Grinch, Reindeer, Santa and Reindeer, but no real live children and grandchildren to share it. Somehow, blow-ups are just not as warm and welcoming as warm hugs from loving family. Yes, I’d trade all this fancy fiber-optic, blow-up Christmas for a simple, traditional family-filled Christmas in a flying reindeer, if I could. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I say, a thousand words coming from family and friends are worth a thousand pictures.

So, as I try my best to be positive and enjoy my blow-up, fiber-optic Christmas, empty of family, those of you who have your children and grandchildren with you, just know you have the best Christmas of all. You don’t need fancy decorations. You need the gifts that money can’t buy! Those are the best gifts in the world!

I won’t be rocking by the fireside with a cozy fireside Christmas this year. I won’t have a twelve year old son to watch, as he rips open a tent with shining eyes and a glowing face. Instead, I will have Florida sunshine in the Sunshine state and a fancy blow-up, fiber-optic Christmas, but make no mistake, as I enjoy my fancy fiber-optic Christmas, I am thankful, and I do appreciate it, thankful for all those simple, traditional family memories that time and fancy decorations can’t replace. I am thankful that I can still enjoy Christmas and the holiday season and sending my loved ones, who live in another state, Christmas cards.

Enjoy your times together while you have them and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer; for, they are the most precious and valuable gifts on this earth, and they are true gifts from God.

Interview about Sunrise on Alligator Lake

We are blog hopping our way through some new reads. For those who aren’t familiar with a blog hop, it's like a treasure hunt to find new authors and books. Once you find something on one blog you hop on over to the next one to discover more treasure, a wealth of new and exciting books. Some are still being written, some are just being released. Either way, for fiction lovers, it’s a treasure. I’d like to thank  Brenda K. Hendricks for tagging me to participate.

In this particular hop I answer 10 questions, and you get to learn about my current WIP (work in progress), my new Christmas book of short stories, Ragdoll Christmas and other Short Stories, which releases Wednesday, December 5.

I am tagging the following five authors to continue the blog hop: Naomi Musch, Rita Garcia, Regina Andrews, Nike Chillemi, and June Foster.

What is the working title of your book? Sunrise on Alligator Lake

Where did the idea come from for the book? My husband and I go fishing on the lake which has gorgeous sunrises, and I was inspired to write a romance novel using it as the setting.

What genre does your book fall under?
Southern Christian Inspirational Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

John Dye with Roma Downey or Meg Ryan with Tom Hanks.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A divorced woman escapes an abusive husband to live a life of peace and contentment in a trailer park on Alligator Lake and learns to enjoy the sunrises in her life until her world spirals out of control when she comes face-to-face with her past.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I have books published by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. out of California, but this one is going to be a novella, and I plan to self-publish it.

 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? It's still in the works, but I plan to finish it within a four to six month time span since it's a novella. Ragdoll Christmas will be released Wednesday and available at Amazon for the Kindle.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Eva Marie Everson has a Cedar Key Series, and the first novel, Chasing Sunsets, is about a divorced woman who seeks a new beginning. My debut novel, Last Resort, is about a woman who escapes an abusive boyfriend.

Who or What inspired you to write this book? Domestic abuse rears its ugly head far too much in society. I have been inspired to write a story of how God uses bad for good, one to show victims they can have a new, fresh beginning just like a fresh new sunrise on Alligator Lake. God and the sunrise on Alligator Lake inspired me to write this novella because of the glorious view that seemed fresh, like a renewal, or new beginning.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? It's set on a real lake in St. Cloud, Florida, and I have pictures to post on a blog taken on the lake. The heroine has been through the wringer and come out on the other side to rainbow blessings.

 

 

The Haunting of Alligator Lake by B. J. Robinson

Just published and only 99 cents for a short story set in St. Cloud, Florida, on a real lake. Visit a quaint diner and enjoy another alligator tale by B. J. Robinson. Are all those white alligator tales and ghostly mermaid stories true? Find out in a few seconds with instant delivery.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9U9JEE

One Rainy Summer New Release B. J. Robinson

My mind ran rampant with thoughts of Matthew. What had gotten into me? I'd never thought of him other than a good friend. We'd lived in stifling hot, muggy-buggy, mosquito-infested,cattle-ranching, timber-raising, and citrus-growing Holopaw our entire lives, right next door to one another. You had to experience a place like this for yourself. I loved how riding my four-wheeler down the rutted dirt paths reminded me of bunny hops on a roller coaster. I'd ridden all the coasters in Florida from The Hulk and The Dueling Dragons at Universal Studios to the newest ones at Busch Gardens in Tampa. I shook my head in wonder when I thought about what a rich and diverse area we lived in. I couldn't help but love it. There was never a dull moment, always something to do. Lost in thought, I let Matthew take the lead, and he strode ahead down the winding trail that lead to Sandy's. I gazed at his lithe figure and wondered when things had begun to change between us. When did I begin to think of him other than just the boy next door? Did he think differently of me, too, or was it all one-sided on my part? I didn't want to let him know how I felt, just in case. Only time would tell.

 

A story of old and new love. Granny has a secret. Hope falls for the boy next door. Her grandmother rekindles a relationship her family didn't approve of years before. Hope finds an old picture of her Grandma clutched in the embrace of a man with icy blue eyes. Who is he? Hope scoots out the door and back to her own room, dashes to the window, and peeks outside. The moonlight reveals a funny sight. Her beach-ball granny climbs a ladder like the prince climbed Rapunzel’s hair. A man stands at the bottom and holds it. He gazes up at Hope's window, and she shivers and lets the curtain drop. Grandma is a grown woman. Why is she sneaking around with this mystery man? What's going on? Why is my honest, respectful, Bible-reading granny slipping out her bedroom window in the middle of the night like some teen?

s lures work for them, but shiners do, too. Your grandpa always used shiners, and I went fishing with him long enough to know."

"How long's Sandy been there?"

"'Bout the last five years." Granny rested her chin on her hand. "Felt sorry for him. He had no place to go."

"Doesn't he have any family? Why doesn't he work?"

"His family all died in a horrific car accident when he was young. He's always lived off the land. Never got much of an education. Used to grow vegetables and sell them when he lived at his mom's. Now, he has no land to farm, but he manages to make out living on the lake."

"With your help?"

"Now, Hope, don't you go ratting me out to your mother. She'd have a hissy fit if she knew he was even around."

"Who is this man and how did he get into our lives?"

"He's just a kind old soul. If I ever need help, I know I can count on him."

"Was he a friend of Grandpa's?"

"No, they never really knew one another. Your grandfather passed before he moved here."

"What if Mother drives up one evening and finds him sitting on the porch swing visiting you?"

"That won't happen. He rarely shows himself, and I know when to expect her."

"You never know." I looked Granny straight in the eye before I asked my next question. "Why didn't he ever marry and have kids?"

I knew he had, but I wanted to see if his story matched Granny's.

"Hope, I do declare, you ask too many questions. He was married once, but his wife died in childbirth. That was many years ago."

"What happened to the baby?"

"He put her up for adoption because she was a girl. Said he wouldn't know how to take care of her." Granny's eyes took on a faraway look like she was in another world, probably another time and place, I thought.

So far, so good. "Does he ever see or visit her?"

"Heavens, no, child. That baby doesn't even know who her true father is. She was raised in a much different lifestyle than his. Sometimes, I wonder …" Granny's voice faded away.

This is a work of fiction that released October 21 by Desert Breeze Publishing, California, and it's available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and Kobo, etc. I hope people will enjoy reading this novel as much as I had fun creating it. Tucked into a Southern corner of the world is a quaint little town residents are proud to call home. Charming shops, restaurants, antique stores, and thrift shops line the streets. Orange trees blossom in groves. Small town St. Cloud is conveniently located not far from Orlando, Florida, the nearest large city. My favorite local restaurant for Italian food is Chimento's. Their chicken salad is, as locals say, to die for, and it's actually called chicken salad salad because they put it in a salad of greens and tomatoes with their special house dressing of sweet basil vinaigrette. You'll adore the picturesque paintings that adorn the walls of antique buildings lining the streets. On the outskirts of Kissimmee, in Orlando, is vacationland, the home of theme parks Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. Hectic lives are left behind when you step into another world with a slower pace and sample country living in Florida, a way of life. http://www.amazon.com/One-Rainy-Summer-ebook/dp/B009TVTZ0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350806847&sr=1-1&keywords=One+Rainy+Summer

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

Inescapable is the first novel I've read by Nancy Mehl, but I'm sure it won't be my last. Published by Bethany House Publishers, copyright 2012, it's twenty-five chapters that literally take the reader to another world. I loved the characters and Lizzie's daughter's name, Charity. I could identify with falling in love with a town and its wonderful people as well as a certain restaurant, and I loved the old restaurant and could just picture Lizzie's cozy apartment above it. In this wonderfully-woven tale, Elizabeth must make a choice between a boy she's known since childhood and the father of her daughter as well as a choice to remain in Kingdom or leave it for Seattle. She depends upon God for guidance with her decision.

Set in a Mennonite town in Kansas, Kingdom is the place Lizzie ran from at eighteen and the place she runs back to five years later when her new life falls apart. On the verge of rebuilding a life in Kingdom, one she and Charity come to love, she finds herself facing a decision to run again, this time to Seattle with Clay. Yet, she knows her heart will remain in Kingdom with Noah. She'd do anything for her daughter, even forsake her own happiness. Charity sees Noah as the prince her mommy's waited for so long, but Lizzie can't help but think God has sent Clay back into her life to give Charity the father she wants and needs. Will Lizzie run from Kingdom again to Seattle with Clay, or will she stop running for once in her life? She's run from her problems since she was eighteen years old. Will she discover some problems are inescapable no matter how long and far she runs? What will God guide her to do in the end?

Nancy Mehl has written a powerful story rich with detail into the way of life of a Mennonite town. Raised Baptist, I found it interesting to read of the beliefs and traditions, and I was able to identify with how changes in tradition can be hard to take, even when change can be for the best. From buggies to cars and trucks, from dark dresses and black head coverings to lighter ones, the author lets the reader become a part of the changes in lifestyle. I couldn't help but root for Lizzie's mother and was glad to see a change for the better in her life in the end and not just from an outhouse to an inside bathroom. An interesting read to say the least, and a great read that tells the tale of Lizzie's life as well as that of her mother's. For young women as well as grandmothers, there's heart-touching reading for all as Lizzie gradually finds her faith again.

Available wherever fine books are sold. Five stars for a novel that illustrates God is inescapable.

 

Southern Fried Women by Pamela King Cable

Southern Fried Women by Pamela King Cable is a book of short stories that can't help but evoke readers' emotions. I laughed, and I cried. It begins with "Southern Fried Women," which was one of my favorites. "Beach Babies" and "Coal Dust on my Feet" were my two other favorites," sad, but awesome stories. Ms. Cable showcases the South in honesty and realism and for characterization, you'll stumble upon a few swear words, but some stories have none. If you like Southern reads with real Southern flavor, she delivers a book you won't be able to put down. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to do anything else but finish it. Her writing is humorous and real. She knows the South, and her writing shows it, so I had to give the book the five stars it so well deserves. I'm glad I didn't miss this one.

Denise Hunter's The Convenient Groom

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter was a delightful unexpected read. A neighbor gave it to me, so it was my first read by this author, but it won't be my last. Kate finds herself jilted at the altar and her entire career depends on her wedding. Lucas Wright becomes the stand-in groom. Kate's written a book about how to find Mr. Right, and it releases on the same day of her wedding. Ironically, she weds Mr. Wright who is so totally opposite and does everything she advises against in her book of advice, but she's broken-hearted and backed into a corner. When he offers her a way out of the mess her life has become, she accepts. She thinks he's marrying her so she'll help him with his mom and dad's marriage in return, but she's in for quite a surprise. When her ex, Bryan, wants back in the picture after realizing he's made a huge mistake, what will Kate do? Will she choose Bryan, the one who left her stranded at the altar and forgive him, or will she choose Luca, the one her knowledge and common sense says is all wrong for her even if she did marry Mr. Wright. To add to the turmoil, his family lives right next door and there's a big, hairy dog she has to contend with. Sure, Lucas warned her he had a dog, but she expected a small one, especially when she saw the size of his small place. His mother doesn't like her. Lucas knows why and finally shares the reason with her. Then, a leggy redhead enters the picture, and Kate is forced to deal with feelings that crop up and ask why she should even care. To top it all off, he enjoys sailing, and she gets seasick. What else could possibly go wrong? She did marry Mr. Wright, after all. An enjoyable escape for a summer or beach read.

Whispering Cypress by B. J. Robinson Releases August 11

Whispering Cypress by B. J. Robinson releases August 11. See what early readers are saying. View the video/book trailer. Take a look at author interviews.

You'll never have peace here. Leave the past where it belongs, or it will ruin you.

Spring Showers stared at the cutout newspaper letters pasted on a sheet of typing paper. Her heart pounded harder than any nail gun, and she placed her hand over her chest as if to still it. Nothing about the rundown campground prepared her for such a threat. Who could possibly care if she restored it?

After a decade of no contact, she purchases the campground a man from her past dreams of owning and hires him to repair and remodel the cabins. She still has feelings for him, and the sparks are still there -- smoldering like embers from a left-over campfire. A male friend from the city visits and trouble brews.

o      Dr. Rita Garcia says of B. J. Robinson's Whispering Cypress, "Spring, follows the rocky terrain of her chosen path, and reawakens a love of nature in the hearts and minds of the readers. B. J. Robinson really knows how to weave a great story. Her novels are the perfect read for a bright summer day or curled up next to a warm fire on a blistery day.

Valerie Strawmier says, "A campground you'll want to return to again and again with those characters. Author B. J. Robinson has a way of immediately drawing you to the characters. She writes great stories that draw readers in quickly, constantly throws in twists and turns, and doesn't let go."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFSVAPKrmKU&feature=youtu.beWhispering Cypress Book Trailer

http://tomblubaugh.net/barbara-j-robinson/#more-1196 The Write Trail Interview by Tom Blubaugh
http://junefoster.blogspot.com/2012/08/welcome-author-bj-robinson.html?spref=fb Interview by The Traveling Writer, June Foster, a retired schoolteacher who travels and writes from her RV.
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/write-to-the-point-with-b-j-robinson/ Write to the Point Interview

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-329/Whispering-Cypress-BJ-Robinson/Detail.bok Buy link if you'd like a PDF file copy from the publisher that you can read on your laptop or computer. You may also view more book details and a free excerpt here.

http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/july-gift.html Whispering Cypress Sneak Preview of Bookcover
https://www.facebook.com/barbara.robinson.773?ref=tn_tnmn#!/AuthorBJRobinson Author Page on Facebook
http://www.amazon.com/BJ-Robinson/e/B007DNJIKU Amazon Author Page

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/BJRobinson/Page.bok Desert Breeze Publishing Author Page
http://fliterary.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-i-love-about-writing.html?spref=fb WHAT I LOVE ABOUT WRITING
http://www.acfw.com/blog/?p=4808 Characters Make the Novel

http://www.acfw.com/blog/?p=2222 Creat a Unique Take to Present a Villain

Rivet Your Readers With Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

BJ ripped the package open. A sigh escaped her lips. Such a small book. How can it help me? She flipped through the eight chapters. The last one on DPOV hooked her. She read it first and thumbed through three more before placing it on the table. 

I discovered a great book that focuses on deep point of view by Jill Elizabeth Nelson, RIVET YOUR READERS WITH DEEP POINT OF VIEW. At first, I was disappointed when I opened it because it was so small, but it's 59 pages of very useful instruction, and I'm glad I found it. In fact, I like it because it's small and makes an easy to use resource. There are eight easy to read and understand chapters. The last one focuses on first person DPOV.

River Rising by Athol Dickson

Athol Dickson's River Rising was the best summer read out of all the books I read. It's said to be Louisiana's To Kill a Mockingbird, and I believe it after reading it. Set in Louisiana in 1927, it's a novel that takes you back to slavery in a way you never anticipate. Reverend Hale Poser is the main character. He seems to rise out of the mist looking for his roots. Reared in an orphanage, he's searching for his past. When a child goes missing, he refuses to give up the search though others say it's no use. With nothing more than an old, leaky pirogue, he continues the search alone through the Louisiana swamp and bayous.  This is a book I'm glad I didn't miss. If you haven't read it, check it out. You won't be sorry. I loved it. No, it's not a romance novel, Kendra J. Published by Bethany House. Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. I bought a beautiful hardback book for only one cent. The shipping cost more than the book. Barnes and Noble still has the hardback for one cent, so take advantage of it. June Foster said Athol Dickson is the author she'd most like to meet. If you would like this beautiful book, grab it for a penny. It's a beautifully woven story and a beautiful book inside and out.

Interview with June Foster from an RV Office

I'm happy to have June Foster with us today. She's sharing what it's like to be an author who travels in an RV. Both of her books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Kobo, Sony, etc.

Please check out Junes Author Page at Amazon and like it. You'll learn more about her there. Thanks. http://www.amazon.com/June-Foster/e/B007ISUMPK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1344200980&sr=1-2-ent

Tell us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your life that you would like to share.
Thank you for having me today, BJ. Though I'm not a sweet southern belle like you, I am from Texas.  I can tell you what has just happened. I think you know that my home is on wheels. My husband and I RV full time and I love it. However…... there are drawbacks.  As you know, a writer depends heavily on the internet. Though I have a Sprint air card, it doesn't always work everywhere. We are in a tiny town in Colorado called Coaldale.  When I found I wasn't picking up the internet at all, I panicked and drove my poor husband crazy. Now I'm spending my days in the RV office and using their wifi. The owner even gave me my own table, but the trick is remembering everything I need from my RV. It's worth the hassle of hauling my computer back and forth every day. My husband's doing the cooking. Yea.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say? A Hometown Fourth of July is my latest. It is a story based loosely on the real life situation of my husband's brother. The story charts a young adopted man's journey to finding his identity, not in his birthmother but in the Lord. Oops. A little over 30 words.

Tell the readers about your office and how you write best. Well, I never thought I'd be telling you about my temporary office here in the RV park headquarters. There are food items, souvenirs, cold drinks, and DVD's for sale. And behind the counter, the owners have a computer, a phone, and a desk.  Oh yeah. You meant my office in my RV. (smile) My dear husband took the couch out and replaced it with a table and two file cabinets on either side. The upside to this office is my view out my window changes monthly. I write best with quiet which I don't get in the RV or this office.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series? I'm finishing up Book three in the Bellewood Series, Deliver Us. Give Us This Day came out February 1, As We Forgive will be released September 1 with Desert Breeze, and the final book comes out April 1, 2013.

What books have influenced your writing? I think Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell and Donald Maas's Writing the Breakout Novel have helped me. Fay Lamb, the moderator of Scribes at ACFW, has taught me so much and influenced my writing.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? Yes, I'd love to meet Latayne Scott and Athol Dickson.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Since I don't have much room in my RV, reading ebooks on my Kindle is a god-send.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)? I'm reading Dave Bond's A Time to Build published by Desert Breeze. It's in ebook format.

Do you have any advice for other writers? My advice is don't give up and try not to take rejections and criticism personally. Those are a few things I had to learn the hard way.
Below are links for both of June's books through Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Bellewood-Book-One-Give-ebook/dp/B0073NE9KO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344200800&sr=8-2&keywords=june+foster

http://www.amazon.com/A-Hometown-Fourth-July-ebook/dp/B008GI61GU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344200910&sr=1-1&keywords=june+foster

Relentless Pursuit by Kathy Herman

You've all heard of saving the best for last. Well that's exactly what Kathy Herman has done. Her latest novel Relentless Pursuit: A Novel (Secrets of Roux River Bayou) is her best yet. I loved the first two in the series, but this one was the best, the way a series should be. I read it right before a vacation to Grand Isle, Louisiana. When you read the book, you'll see how that might get you thinking. My son told me to bring water with us. That was before I'd read the novel. All I can say is it was profound. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but you can't help but care about these characters. You can't help but put yourself in their place and think how you'd feel and how the problems in this novel could affect you and yours. You'll connect and identify, so be sure you don't miss this one. A Cajun-flavored South threatened by a bio-terrorist will keep you turning pages. Reading this novel will make you think twice. It's five stars for sure.

Weeping Willows Short Story by B. J. Robinson

New Release: I've self-published my first piece of work on Amazon, a short story. I spent the day working on it yesterday. I'd written the story before vacation, but I had to have a cover made and learn how to publish it. It's available today for people who have Kindles, but it's not just for those who own a Kindle. Anyone can download a free Kindle app from Amazon.com for the PC, ipad, iphone, ipod, tablet, etc. Check out my new short story set in Louisiana. Louisiana is well known for haunted plantations. On one summer vacation, we visited a couple considered to be haunted. I developed the short story from these memories along with early childhood memories and my writer's imagination. It's only 99 cents at Amazon, so check it out. I had a productive day yesterday, and may you have one today. Used childhood memories and a writer's imagination. Travel light. No need to dust virtual bookshelves.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008OM26DU

Shoe Marks by Karen Vance Hammond

Shoe Marks by Karen Vance Hammond is a full-length paranormal experience, a haunting ghost tale that doesn't let go. I normally don't read this type of book, but I have always liked old homes and as a kid enjoyed ghost stories, so when I saw it was based on a real event, I decided to try it, and I don't regret reading it. It's an easy read with Maggie as the main ghost. She was murdered, so she remains in her home even after years have passed. You're pulled into the story easily, and come to care about the main characters. There's a surprise twist at the end, and I loved it. If you enjoy ghost and haunted house stories, don't miss this one. Shoe marks spew blood. A rocking chair rocks by itself, and a door open and closes without any help. These are a few small things that happen. When the new owner, Jeremy and is wife are blamed for murder, how will they defend themselves against a ghost? They've spent their savings to pay cash for this home, what they believed to be a historical landmark. Will they ever find peace in it? Just try to sleep tight and don't let the ghosts bite. You won't want to put the book down until you find out what happens, so be prepared for a nail-biting climax.

Echo of an Earth Angel by Sarah M. Ross

Echo of an Earth Angel by Sarah M. Ross is the second novel in her series, a page turner. It's an easy read, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next novel. Ms. Ross leaves off like a soap opera. You can't help but care what happens to the characters. I fell in love with the main characters and enjoyed the secondary characters as well. Tessa is the main character, and David heals her when she's shot to save her life. He heals her too quickly and too much, and she wakes up an angel, too. The book has a unique plot. I don't usually read this type of novel, but I also enjoyed Awaken, the first novel in the series. The book gains tension and leaves you hanging with a cliffhanger. Tessa is determined to get him back or die trying. David fell for her, and she's fallen for him so hard she risks her life, as she knows it, to save him, though he warned her to just be patient and wait for him, that he'd return one day. I'm looking forward to the third novel to see what happens to them next. You can't help but feel the love these two characters have for each other. Though I normally don't like books that leave me hanging because I like closure, I will be awaiting the third one in this series.

Lost in the Bayou by Cornell DeVille

Lost in the Bayou by Cornell DeVille is a YA suspense set in Louisiana. I stumbled across it and bought it because it was a Louisiana novel, and I devoured it. A young boy and girl have to outsmart an evil, jealous uncle when their mother and father's plane goes down in the bayou. This is a page-turning fast read. The descriptions are vivid and to savor.  The crazed uncle has envied his brother all of his life and will stop at nothing to inherit the estate, even if it means killing his niece and nephew. Set in the sixties, you'll notice threads of the historical era and with a little imagination, the vivid writing will suck you right into the bayou and swamp. There's an old cypress tree, limbless and surrounded by quick sand. DeVille is a baby boomer who was influenced by the great storytellers such as Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock, Edgar Allen Poe, and O. Henry among others. He's on Facebook as Author Cornell DeVille. If you have a young girl or boy in your life, this is the book to pull them into another world where they become the rescuers.

Out of Time by Michelle Sutton

A theme that runs throughout the novel is temptation before marriage. Though the heroine wishes to remain pure until marriage, there are steamy scenes that illustrate how hard it can be to remain pure until marriage. This is a Christian/inspirational romance novel about a race car driver, Donny. Bree, has moved into her uncle's house to start a new life, find a job, and move on. She finds a handsome race car driver in the process, and he's right next door. It provides a glimpse into the worlds of racing and the wealthy. When she gets too much sun trying to acquire a quick tan, she meets him in an unexpected way. Donny has a friend named Jason who is a believer. He and his wife befriend Bree and offer their support and encouragement. Bree struggles with feeling she can't compete with the many beautiful women in Donny's past and when one shows up on his doorstep, it doesn't help. A plot to keep Donny from winning a race could cost him his life. Can Bree stop him from racing? Will he listen? If not, she'll have to take drastic measures. When she does, will those measures ruin the relationship she's built with him? A man's car can be his baby. Donny's isn't just a car, but his prized race car. What will happen? Can their love survive? Bree is running out of time. What will she do? Read OUT OF TIME and find out.