Barn Door Book Loft

Please Welcome Author Carol Cox

2012-05-29T15:30:00.000-05:00

Is there a story behind this book?

Stories featuring a master of disguise have always intrigued me. Add to that a fascination with southern Arizona during the Tombstone era, and you have the makings for some interesting situations. The fact that Ellie, (an undercover Pinkerton agent who is also our mistress of disguise) has a background in the theater but no experience at all as a detective only made things more fun!

What started you on your writing journey?

I’ve loved books as long as I can remember, and I’ve read voraciously since I was a small child. The moment I realized there were people who got to sit down and write all those wonderful stories, I knew that had to be the best job in the world. No matter what other avenues my life followed over the years, the dream of writing books for other people to read never left me. I felt blessed beyond measure when that dream finally became a reality!

What distracts you from writing the easiest?

Life. J Between homeschooling my daughter, responsibilities in the two churches my husband pastors, family activities, and community obligations, it isn’t unusual for me to find myself stretched a bit thin. I have to maintain a flexible schedule (remember Gumby?—that kind of flexibility), and my biggest challenge is in keeping my priorities straight, something I work on constantly.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading? (Book recommendations very welcome!)

I enjoy a wide variety of genres, everything from Christian fiction to Agatha Christie’s mysteries, to the quirky humor of P.G. Wodehouse, one of my favorite authors of all time.

Which character in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?

That would be Ellie Moore, the heroine of Love in Disguise. Ellie saw herself as plain and unattractive. Even when she got the chance to remake herself into two very different characters, she still found it hard to feel any sense of worth. Her struggle to find her true identity and value is one I think many of us can relate to.

If you were a style of music, what style would you be?

Hmm. My tastes in music are as diverse as the types of books I enjoy. Some of my favorite styles are: country, contemporary Christian, and classical. Would that make me a Contemporary Classical Country Christian?

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

There’s a long list of things I’ve done that would qualify for that. How about the time our church hosted a Mother’s Day luncheon, and all the women attending were supposed to wear hats they decorated themselves. The idea sounded good on paper, but I don’t look good in hats. Never have, probably never will. What to do? I decided if I was going to look peculiar anyway, I’d make sure I looked really peculiar. I went on a shopping foray, picking out the most bizarre decorations I could find. Starting out with a floppy blue sun hat as the base for my creation, I tacked rows of half-inflated balloons around the brim, added a plastic tiara with multi-colored lights that flashed at the touch of a button, and topped the whole thing off with a large flower made of craft foam bobbing on a pipe cleaner stem. It definitely stood out among the other ladies’ projects. And surely there’s no connection between that and the fact that we’ve never done another hat-related event since then.

What is your favorite season of the year?

I love spring and fall. Spring brings new life, a reminder of the promise of heaven, while fall, with that first nip of frost in the air, always puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

What is a favorite (season) memory from your childhood?

My mother, grandmother, and I traveled to Joplin, Missouri, the winter I was four years old to attend an elderly relative’s funeral, and it snowed while we were there. Being born and raised in Phoenix, it was the first time I’d ever seen snow outside of movies and TV, and I was totally enthralled. My great-great aunt took me outside to play in that lovely white stuff and helped me scoop up enough to make snow ice cream. I’ve always remembered that experience as one of pure joy.

Are there things you put off doing because you dread them?

Far too many! If I don’t keep a tight rein on my self and my time, I can be one of the world’s great procrastinators. A couple of years ago, I printed out a sign that says: “Do It Now!” and hung it over my desk. It makes a great reminder to stay focused . . . as long as I remember to look at it.

What's your favorite meal with family and friends? (and feel free to share a recipe with us!)

Grilling dinners out on the front porch is one of our favorite things to do as soon as the weather is warm enough. There’s something so relaxing about cooking outdoors and not having to rush around the kitchen. The clean-up is easy, too, which is a big plus when a deadline is closing in!

My family loves grilled mahi-mahi. One of our favorite ways to prepare it is to sprinkle the meat with lemon juice, top each piece with sprigs of rosemary snipped fresh from the herb garden, then wrap it all in foil and grill for about 25 minutes. Yum!

Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?

While I admire writers who know from the outset what theme they plan to explore when they begin writing a book, I am not one of them. I may get a sense of the theme as a book is being written, but often as not, I may not discover it until the story is complete. The theme of trust is one that seems to recur throughout many of my stories.

Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to you. (and why it's special)

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

We live in a time when so many things clamor for our attention, things that can steal our joy. This verse is a wonderful reminder to put our focus on the Lord instead of our circumstances and find our joy in Him.

When is your next book due out and can you tell us about it?

My next book is coming out in 2013, but I don’t have a firm release date for it yet. It’s set in the fictional town of Cedar Ridge in central Arizona. The hero—a widower with an ornery young son—and the heroine—a former governess who has had her fill of dealing with unruly children—are vying for control of a mercantile while dealing with demanding customers and quirky townspeople, as well as trying to find out who’s behind the sinister happenings that have been plaguing the town. I’m in the middle of edits on this book at the moment, and I love the suggestions my editor has made, so I’m very excited about the end results!

Purchase the book at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

christianbook.com

Carol Cox is giving away a copy of Love in Disguise The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses.

To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Until next time. . . Sharon A Lavy

Carol Cox's Love in Disguise

2012-05-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Bio:

Carol Cox is the author of nearly 30 novels and novellas. A third-generation Arizonan, Carol has a lifelong fascination with the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. She makes her home with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.

You can find her on the web:

Website: www.AuthorCarolCox.com

Blog: www.AuthorCarolCox.com/journal

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carol.cox

Twitter: @AuthorCarolCox

Back Cover Blurb:

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Book Excerpt:

Chicago, Illinois
December, 1881

“O happy dagger! This is thy sheath.”
Ellie Moore gripped her hands together as she mouthed the well-known line from the last act of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The words floated out into the dark chasm beyond the edge of the footlights, and an expectant hush filled the theater, followed by a collective gasp at the moment she plunged her fists toward her abdomen and threw her head back with an agonized grimace.
“There rust, and let me die.” Ellie let her head fall to one side and held her pose, silent as the grave, while the Capulets and Montagues reconciled, and the prince delivered the final line.
Not until the roar of applause swept through the auditorium of Chicago’s Orpheum Theater did she stir again, ready for the curtain call. Ellie waited for the proper moment, then swept one foot behind her and sank into a low curtsey, spreading her arms wide. Her right hand brushed against the back of the red velvet curtain that screened her from the stage.
“Here now. Don’t you dare set that curtain to moving.”
Startled by the abrupt hiss behind her, Ellie jerked her head around and met the fierce gaze of Harold Stiller, the theater manager.
At the same moment, the actors began to file off the stage. Roland Lockwood, the troupe’s Montague, bumped against Ellie’s outstretched hand. Arms flailing wildly, Ellie floundered to regain her balance, but to no avail. With a muffled thump, she plopped into an ungainly heap on the wooden floor.
Burt Ragland, one of the stagehands, pushed past, his lip curled in obvious disdain. “That wouldn’t have happened if you spent your time tending to your own job instead of pretending you're some kind of star.”
Ellie scrambled to her feet, brushing dust from the hem of her skirt and trying to ignore the snickers from the other stagehands who’d gathered nearby.
“At least I intend to make something of myself,” she snapped. “You’ll be stuck here long after I’m gone.” She lifted her chin when she heard the grunts of indignation from the group. Ha! That rocked them back on their heels, all right. And good riddance.
Noting the cleaner area on the floor that marked the spot where she’d made her undignified landing, Ellie swiped at the back of her skirt. “I’ll think of you all, languishing here in this dusty hole, when I’m sipping tea in London.”
Outright guffaws met her statement. Ellie gave up on trying to swat the dust from her backside, finding it too difficult to twist herself into a pretzel shape and maintain her haughty air at the same time.
Let them say what they wanted. It didn’t matter anymore. Before the night was over, she would be gone from their midst and on her way to England. There, in the homeland of the Bard himself, she should find many who would appreciate her acting skills, gleaned from years of observation in the theater. Finally people would look past her drab exterior and see the raw talent that lay beneath. All she needed was a chance—just one! Then she would show them all.
While the other actors dispersed to their dressing rooms, one of the crew opened the house curtain one last time, so Magdalena Cole, Queen of the American Stage, could address the audience.
Her voice filtered back into the wings. “Thank you all for being here. Every performance is special to me, but tonight has a significance all its own.”
Ellie glared at Burt and the others while Magdalena continued with the pretty speech she and Ellie had worked out the night before.
“This marks my last performance in your fair city, and not only in Chicago, but in this great land of ours.” Magdalena paused to let the murmur of surprise die down before she went on. “Tonight I leave for New York, there to board a ship that will carry me away to share my art with the audiences of Europe.”
“Don’t make out that you’re any better than us,” Burt growled. “The only reason you get to go is because you’re that woman’s toady.”
Ellie sucked in her breath. “That’s personal wardrobe mistress—thank you very much.”
“Good night, my friends, and God bless you, each and every one.” Magdalena glided off the stage to thunderous applause, carrying a bouquet of deep red roses in the crook of one arm. She thrust the flowers at Ellie as she walked by. “Put these in water,” she ordered, then gave a quick laugh. “What am I thinking? I won’t be here tomorrow to enjoy them, so it doesn’t matter what you do with them. Throw them away, if you want.” She continued down the hallway without breaking stride.
Burt snorted. “Sounds more like personal dogsbody to me.”
Ellie tossed the bouquet into a nearby trash barrel and followed in Magdalena’s wake, not deigning to give Burt the satisfaction of a reply. She closed the dressing room door, shutting out the post-show flurry.
“Hurry.” Magdalena’s eyes shone like a child’s on Christmas morning. “We haven’t time to waste.” She spun around so Ellie could unfasten the hooks on the back of her costume. “Arturo will be here any moment. Is everything packed?” Magdalena slipped out of the Juliet gown with practiced ease.
“It’s all ready.” Ellie draped the costume over the back of a nearby chair and reached for Magdalena’s new traveling outfit. She slid the stylish dress over the actress’s head and upraised arms and fastened the row of jet-black buttons that ran from neck to hem. Then she stood back to study the effect.
“Well?” Magdalena pivoted slowly. Even in their present rush, she could find time to pause for an accolade.
Ellie reached out to adjust the rounded collar then nodded. “It’s perfect. That cobalt blue matches your eyes exactly. Your couturier outdid himself this time.”
“And well he should have. I paid dearly for those new gowns. Even though I’m planning to acquire a whole new wardrobe once we reach London, I could hardly begin my grand European tour dressed like a second-rate bit player, could I? First impressions are so important.”
Ellie folded the Juliet gown with care and placed it on top of the other clothing in the costume hamper. She lowered the lid, pressed it down with both hands, and then finally sat on it in order to fasten the latches.
“There now, we’re all set. Your new dresses are in the two large trunks, along with your other personal effects. Costumes, wigs, and makeup are here in the hamper. We’re ready to leave as soon as Mr. Benelli arrives.”
Magdalena cleared her throat. “Ellie, there’s something I—” A knock at the door cut her off. She leaned back against the dressing table and struck a pose, then nodded at Ellie. “It must be Arturo. Let him in.”
Ellie opened the door to find a small contingent of theater workers gathered there. Harold Stiller stood in front of the group.
“We’ve come to say goodbye.” He pushed past Ellie and walked over to Magdalena, who abandoned her dramatic stance the moment she recognized her visitors. “On behalf of all of us at the Orpheum, I want to wish you a safe journey to England and a dazzling career in the theaters of Europe. We will always treasure the memory that we, in some small measure, played a part in your success.”
Magdalena’s lips tightened, then curved in an expression that would look like gracious acknowledgment to anyone who didn’t know her as well as Ellie did. It was obvious to her that the actress had no intention of giving credit for her success to anyone but herself while she stood on the threshold of her greatest triumph.
Their triumph, Ellie corrected herself. How many times had she heard Magdalena say she didn’t know what she would do without Ellie’s help?
“Thank you for coming to say farewell.” Magdalena’s tone held a note of dismissal, but Stiller didn’t take the hint. He leaned against the chair as if settling in for a long conversation, ignoring the glitter in the actress’s eyes that would have warned a more observant person of a pending eruption likely to rival that of Mount Vesuvius.

Purchase the book at:
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble:
christianbook.com:

Carol Cox is giving away a copy of Love in Disguise. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment along with your email address. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Until next time. . . Sharon A Lavy

Valerie Comer's Back

2012-05-18T00:01:00.010-05:00

We're glad you're here today, Valerie. Let’s start with some fun
questions:

Tell us a bit about your childhood: a favorite memory or moment that’s stood out to you through the years.

I grew up in Northern Manitoba, Canada, where it can get to 70 degrees below zero in winter. My parents worked with a mission to the native people and ran Bible camps all summer long for $2.00 a week per camper. Yes, that period is in the right place! Neither of my parents ever wasted a chance to share the gospel with anyone else. They're in heaven now, where I'm sure many people lined up to thank them for their part in bringing salvation to others.

We didn't live anywhere near a public library, and even my classrooms only contained a few shelves of books in the back. In those days the University of Manitoba had a lending library. I remember looking over a magazine, like the Scholastic book forms my kids brought home from school in later years, and picking out library books. They'd arrive in the mail, we'd all read our books, then we'd return them with an order for the next set.

Hard to imagine, but how much you children appreciated the books, I'm sure! What career did you have before writing?

My primary job over the years has worn many hats: wife, mother, gardener, farmer, beekeeper, and local food advocate. In more recent years, I've added grandmother to that list--my favorite title! I've worked outside the home for the past two decades, mostly in retail. I now have a job in a small-town flooring shop where I mind the business for my two awesome boss guys--and do most of my writing from 9-5. (Yes, they know. Yes, they're okay with it.)

Fantastic job situation. :) Now, some serious questions:

Do you have favorite spiritual themes you like to write about?

I don't set out to reuse themes, yet I find some recurring. Often my characters lack self-confidence and don't see their personal worth, either to other people or to God. They don't feel like they belong. These issues probably continue to crop up because they echo what's gone on in my own life over the years. Seeing my value in God is hard for me!

If one of your characters showed up at your house, which one would be the most feared/least wanted? Why?

Interesting question. Although I've written nine novels and one novella, as of this writing, only the novella has seen the light of day. Because it's short, I had to keep my character cast under control, and I don't dislike or fear any of them. However, my main character's father is loosely based on my own dad. Remember what I said about him always sharing his faith?

Well, Lyssa's father took that to an extreme. He didn't see people, only numbers, and as a result, he embarrassed Lyssa so many times while she was growing up that, though a believer herself, she hid her faith when she left home. She was all done living with ridicule. I pushed Lyssa's dad to be an extreme of mine, and did the same with Lyssa. I, too, have found it hard to speak boldly about my faith.

Therefore, the character I'd find most uncomfortable to have in my home would be Lyssa's dad. Because this is a novella with no room for extra threads, you know this plays a major role in the story line, and he's not really such a bad guy. Oops, might have given too much away. :)

I love it! Tell us where readers can learn more about you and where they can get your book.

My website and blog are at http://valeriecomer.com. I blog about writing, promoting, and/or marketing on Fridays, with book reviews on Wednesdays, and 'green' issues on Mondays. There's more information about Rainbow's End at http://valeriecomer.com/rainbowsend, with purchase links for paperbacks and ebooks at various online stores.

I'd love to have you visit, as I've enjoyed being here at the Barn Door Book Loft today. Thanks!

And thank you, Valerie, for visiting!

Valerie is giving away a copy of Rainbow's End. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Happy Reading!
Carole

Meet Valerie Comer!

2012-05-17T00:01:00.006-05:00

Valerie will be back tomorrow to answer some questions for us. Make sure to join us!

A little bit about Valerie and her books:

Bio
Valerie Comer's life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local food movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, gardening and geocaching with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters. Check out her website and blog at http://valeriecomer.com.

Rainbow's End (4-in-1 collection published by Barbour, May 1, 2012):

Join a geocaching adventure in the spectacular Lake of the Ozarks wilderness, with Lyssa, the reluctant volunteer whose former nemesis is now her chief sponsor; Madison, a city girl paired with an outdoorsy guy who gets on her very last nerve; cautious Reagan, who meets an equally cautious guy; and Hadley, who doesn’t know enough about guys to realize she’s met a womanizer. Will they find the treasure they’re looking for … or something else entirely?

"Topaz Treasure" (first novella in Rainbow's End) by Valerie Comer

Closet believer Lyssa Quinn steps out of her comfort zone to help coordinate the Rainbow’s End geocaching hunt her church is using as an outreach event. She’s not expecting her former humanities prof–young, handsome, anti-Christian Kirk Kennedy–to be at the Lake of the Ozarks at all, let along in a position to provide sponsorship to the treasure hunt. How can she trust someone who once shredded her best friend’s faith?

Kirk’s treasure hunt takes him down a path he hadn’t intended as he searches for opportunities to connect with Lyssa and her intriguing sparkle. How can he convince Lyssa there is more than one kind of treasure? And can she remind him of the greatest prize of all?

To buy Rainbow's End:
http://valeriecomer.com/bookshelf/fiction/rainbows-end/

Connect at:
Website: http://valeriecomer.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer.author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/valeriecomer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/valeriecomer
Blog: http://valeriecomer.com/blog
Blog: http://romancingamerica.com

Valerie is giving away a copy of Rainbow's End. The giveaway is only available to U.S. addresses. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment. You can enter the book giveaway twice--once on each spotlight post.

Happy Reading!
Carole

Winners!

2012-05-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Winner Of:

Allie Pleiter's Home Front Hero is: Abbi Hart

Lacy Williams' The Homesteader's Sweetheart is: Wendy Newcomb

Winners, it's your responsibility to contact me (Sharon {at} BarnDoorBookLoft {dot} net or sharonalavy {at} gmail {dot} com) with your address so the author can send you a book.

Subscribing by email will ensure you don't miss the winners list. ;-)

Until Next Time. . . Sharon A Lavy