Tuesday, December 22, 2015

It's a Merry Christmas with Lisa Belcastro!

Merry CHRISTmas y'all! It's Rebekah here and boy, do I have a treat for you! Lisa Belcastro's GIVING AWAY TWO BOOKS! Shenandoah Nights and her latest release:

A Shenandoah Family Christmas

Where is Christmas?

Disease, freezing temperatures, and the Revolutionary War bring bitter reality to the Reed home in December 1777. Captain Benjamin Reed is ordered to sail a supply shipment south to General George Washington. Days before Shenandoah's scheduled departure, Ben's first mate succumbs to smallpox.

Rebecca Reed had never feared the dreaded disease until her one-year-old daughter Felicity breaks out in the telltale rash. In the cold, dark days of Advent, Rebecca, Ben, and the Reed family wait in prayerful hope as Felicity fights for her life and they wonder who could be next.

With the rest of the family at risk, they decide to obtain the forbidden cowpox vaccine. Ben's brother Jonah, his uncle Isaiah, and Shenandoah's cook Adam Greene venture off in search of the outlawed vaccine. A blizzard hits. A tree crashes. Jonah crumbles to the ground. A woman with the face of an angel aids Jonah, but is it too late? And where are Adam and Isaiah?

As the death toll rises throughout the Colonies, the Reed family prays for more than one Christmas miracle. 
 
 
Rebekah: What's your favorite thing about your genre?
Lisa:  I love romance! I'm a happily-ever-after kind of girl. That said, I'm blessed to write in multiple sub-genres so I can let my imagination play in all the areas I enjoy.
 
Rebekah: Describe your latest release, A Shenandoah Family Christmas in 3 separate words.
Lisa: Fear, Hope, Miracles
 
Rebekah: If your book was made into a movie, what actors would you cast as your main hero & heroine?
Lisa: I could see Henry Cavill playing Captain Benjamin Reed. I would love to see Anne Hathaway play Rebecca!
 
Rebekah: How long did it take you to write this book from first draft to final edit? How do you balance writing with other responsibilities (job, family, etc.)?
Lisa: A Shenandoah Family Christmas is a novella, so it only took about six weeks. Novels take four months or more, depending on "real" life. As I start the New Year, my home life has undergone dramatic changes. I'm going to have more free time, as all children will be out of the house on their own adventures. I'm eager to see how this next chapter in my life will play out.
 
Rebekah: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Lisa: When I was a teenager, I could lose myself in a story. I loved the idea of growing up and being a writer. I went to college and became a journalist. From there, it wasn't a far leap to fiction.
 
Rebekah: Do you stick to your TBR pile or are you an impulsive book buyer?
Lisa: Does anyone stick to their TBR pile? LOL! I buy books all the time, and then add them to the TBR pile. If a new book catches my eye, and I simply HAVE to read it, then I put it on top of the pile. Admittedly, I have books that have stayed at the bottom for some time. I'll get to them, but there are so many I can't not read right away, that my TBR pile never seems to get any shorter. And that is a blessing!
 
Rebekah: At some point an author has to torture their characters. Tell us the truth. Do you enjoy or hate it?
Lisa: I hate it!! Sometimes it's too much like real life, mine, a family member's, or a friend's, and I find myself crying while I'm typing. When that happens, I have to read something happy before I go to bed so I sleep well.
 
Rebekah: Who's your #1 fictional character crush?
Lisa: At the moment I'm in love with Captain Hook for ABC's Once Upon a Time. If we're talking about books, I'd have to pick Ryan Crandall from my summer release, A Dream for Love.
 
Rebekah: What's one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Lisa: When I was 44 I set a goal to run a full marathon (26.2 miles) in all 50 states. At the time, I had run 8 marathons in only 4 states. On December 8, 2013, I completed my 50th state - in Hawaii - with my daughter Kayla running the last half mile with me and crossing the finish line with me. Next month I'm running the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World with a few girl friends who are as running crazy as I am. God willing, we'll be completing a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half-marathon on Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday. Guess I am a little Dopey about running. :-) 
 

 
Lisa Belcastro lives with her family on Martha's Vineyard. She loves time with her family and friends, running, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, chocolate, reading, traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat, Be, who keeps her company while she creates fictional lives for the numerous characters living inside her head.
 
Lisa runs as an ambassador for TEAM 413 (www.team413.org), and has completed a marathon (26.2 miles) in all fifty states.
 
Lisa's stories are set on the Vineyard amidst the magnificence of the ocean, the beauty of sandy beaches, rolling hills, and ancient cliffs, as well as the people and events that make the Island so very unique.
 
When she's not at her desk, Lisa is living in paradise, volunteering at her daughter's school, serving in her church community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, training to run the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge in January 2016, walking the beach looking for sea glass, or enjoying a great meal while she pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style Magazine.
 
Connect with Lisa here:
 

TWO books are up for grabs! A Shenandoah Family Christmas and this little beauty, Shenandoah Nights. Your choice of paperback or eBook for both!




 

42 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Rebekah!

Thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog. I'm excited to be here, and equally excited to giveaway a couple of books. So much fun to spread the Christmas cheer.

Merry Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all your readers.

Abby B said...

Oh these both sound so good!! Thank you for the giveaway! Merry Christmas!!

justcommonly said...

Wow Lisa! You're a ferocious runner! Good for you! Running was never something I got into, but love to hear these great stories. So what's on the top of your TBR list now?

justcommonly said...

This is Annie JC
justcommonly(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie Clatterbuck said...

Great interview. I have always been interested in history and would love to win A Shenandoah Family Christmas. It sounds quite interesting. Good luck to all and have a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Years.

Deanna Stevens said...

I've been reading great reviews on this book! I'd love to read it ;)
dkstevensneAToutlook)DOT)com

Unknown said...

Hi Abby - Merry Christmas to you too! I hope you get a chance to read the stories, and that you enjoy them. :-)

Unknown said...

Hi Annie,
Thanks for stopping by! I do love running, but I get why many people think I'm crazy - LOL.
I'm currently reading an awesome manuscript from a wonderful writer friend. She's delved into life with an autistic child with grace, humor, and pure raw openness. I'm loving every page! Next up is Geraldine Brooks "The Secret Chord" on the life of King David. I stood in line to get a signed copy of that book!!

Unknown said...

Hi Deanna,
I hope you enjoy the story!! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Unknown said...

Hi Debbie,
Merry Christmas to you too! I love historical romances too. Guess that's why I have to write them. ;-) I hope you enjoy the books.

Stella said...

Lisa I would love to read this book. What would be better than to win this for Christmas! Love your books. Merry Christmas!!

Rebekah Millet said...

Wow, you guys! I step away for a little bit and come back to all this love!

Lisa - It's been a blast getting to know you! I'm so honored to have you here.

Abby - Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Good luck with the drawing!

Annie JC - I'm like you and could never get in to running. It's great to see someone so dedicated to it like Lisa. She and I have joked about how she gets more done in the morning then I do all day.

Debbie - Thank you for stopping by! Merry Christmas & good luck with the book drawing!

Deanna - Lisa certainly has a way of painting a picture with words. I'm so glad you've seen some of her reviews. Best of luck with the drawing!

Rebekah Millet said...

Hey Stella! Thanks so much for stopping by! Lisa's books would make a great Christmas gift! Best of luck!

Unknown said...

Thanks Stella! Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

LiteOfTheNite said...

Hi Lisa! Welcome to the Diamond Mine. Sorry to take so long welcoming you! Between Christmas shopping, my Christmas contest, and movie night, this has been a crazy day...
I really am going to have to pick up that book of yours. Again, welcome to the Mine!

Susan P said...

Wow, that is fantastic about your love and commitment to running! Thanks for sharing. I haven't read Family Christmas yet, but the others in the series are great!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the warm welcome, Renee! I'm thrilled to be here! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Unknown said...

Hi Susan,
Thanks for stopping by. I am a fan of running, or crazy - LOL! I'm glad you've enjoyed the series so far. I'm having a great time creating the next book, Shenandoah Song. Merry Christmas!

Rebekah Millet said...

Hey Susan! Thanks so much for visiting with us! I'm so glad you've been able to read the other books in Lisa's series. Best of luck with the drawing & Merry Christmas!

Rebekah Millet said...

Just a note for everyone - We'll pick the winner of Lisa's two books on Wednesday morning (30th). So please come back to see if you've won. Thanks!

Zada said...

i've walked two 5k's .... i can't imagine doing whole marathons!! but doing them in all 50 states must be amazing and for that i'm jealous as i love to travel!! thank you for having this giveaway and Merry Christmas to you!

Unknown said...

Hi Zada,
Running in all 50 states was amazing, and a great way to truly see the country and meet people. Maybe you could do a 5K I'm every state!
Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

Rebekah Millet said...

Merry Christmas Zada! You're waaaaay ahead of me with your 5k's Lol! Thanks for stopping by & best wishes with the drawing!

Anonymous said...

Great interview!

Chris Keach
skylamcdevin@yahoo.com

Rebekah Millet said...

Thanks Chris! Thank you for joining us & good luck with the drawing.

Unknown said...

Hi Chris,
Thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year!

AngBreidenbach said...

What a fun interview! :)
Angie

Rebekah Millet said...

Hey Angie! It's great to see one of my fav authors here again. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Unknown said...

Absolutely loved this series but I have not read The Family Christmas yet!!

Rebekah Millet said...

Hi there Sharon! So glad you've enjoyed the series. It's the perfect time of year for Lisa's latest release. Best wishes with the drawing!

Dmcdowell said...

DmcdowellDecember 27, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Hello Rebekah!
I knew Lisa when we were young girls and sadly she moved away. I thought of her from time to time and you can imagine my surprise when I saw her book on tv and Lisa Belcastro across the bottom! I had to know... was this the same Lisa? I found her on Facebook and she is the same sweet person I knew years ago! I can't believe all the accomplishments she had achieved in her life and she is truly an inspiration to me. Good luck Lisa in all you do.
Now that I know about your blog Rebekah I will be a follower.

ReplyDelete

Jocelyn said...

Great interview! And the book sounds wonderful. I'd love to read it.
Jocelyn

Rebekah Millet said...

Thank you so much for sharing that sweet story! Facebook is so great for connecting people back into our lives. Thanks also for becoming a follower. We have a new author interview up every Wednesday which usually includes a giveaway. Good luck in this week's drawing.

Rebekah Millet said...

Thank you Jocelyn, for your kind words. Best wishes with winning Lisa's books.

Unknown said...

Hi Angie,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all the best in 2016. Blessings, Lisa

Unknown said...

Hi Sharon,
I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the series. I hope you get a chance to read the lastest. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Hi Dianne,
You are so sweet!! I'm blessed that you found me on Facebook! Thanks so much for stopping by Rebekah's blog. Wishing you all the best in 2016!!

Unknown said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I hope you get a chance to read the series. All the best to you in 2016!

Unknown said...

Hi Jocelyn,
I hope you get a chance to read the series. All the best to you in 2016!

Unknown said...

Hi Dianne,
You are so sweet!! I'm blessed that you found me on Facebook! Thanks so much for stopping by Rebekah's blog. Wishing you all the best in 2016!!

Unknown said...

Hi Sharon,
I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the series. I hope you get a chance to read the lastest. Happy New Year!

Rebekah Millet said...

Hi all! After putting everyone's name in a hat, the winner of Lisa’s two books is DMcDowell!

Congrats D! Please send your email address to me at milletrebekah@gmail.com and let me know if you prefer eBook or paperback versions of the books.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and made this past week's posting so much fun! I hope to see you here again. Happy New Year!