Welcome, Bettie Boswell

We're so happy to have Bettie Boswell join us today. 

Hi Bettie: Let’s find out your favorites in the Fast Four:

What is your favorite?

Coffee or Tea? I mostly drink water.

M&Ms or Reece’s Pieces?

Peanut M&Ms if I had to choose

Cat or Dog Person?

Both, but we are retired from animals. Now there is more time to write and travel. 

Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter?

Spring or fall because I like moderate temperatures.

We’re excited to learn more about you:

Do you have any upcoming projects, releases, or sales?

My newest book is a children's picture book called Lucy and Thunder. Its premiere will be May 1st. I will have it and my novels: On Cue, and Free to Love at the Mt. Zion Ridge booth, Jeffersonville, OH at the Ohio Author's Book Fair on May 27th.

What genre do you like to read?
I like Christian romance in any sub-genre including suspense, mystery, contemporary or historical. 

When you aren’t reading or writing, what do you like to do?

I enjoy taking pictures of plant life while walking. My three grandchildren keep me on my toes before and after school. Volunteering as a docent at the Mazza Museum of children's book illustrations satisfies my joy of teaching others about picture books.

 Do you have a new release you'd like to tell us about?

On May 1st, Lucy and Thunder will be published.  It is the first picture book where I am author and illustrator. The story is about a young creature that is afraid of Thunder. When Thunder comes booming into her house, Lucy doesn't know what to do. Her family gives her good advice. Lucy tries, but it will take a prayer to help her realize what she needs to do. I had fun creating the characters for this book. I hope parents and teachers will read this one to their little ones and explore some of the suggested activities in the back matter.

This past July my split-time romance, Free to Love made its way into the world. It follows a couple in a forced marriage, and their friends (former owners) who travel north for freedom from slavery and freedom from living the lifestyle of slave owners. Ginny from my first novel, On Cue, plays a narrating role as she researches for the musical in the former book. The new book, Free to Love serves as a prequel to the first book. Those books may be read in any order. I've had many positive comments about both tales. I just submitted a sequel to complete a trilogy for Ginny's story. The future story is also split-time involving a post WW2 romance and Ginny's new marriage.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

All the books about Ginny involved historical research. Both On Cue and Free to Love required knowledge of the Underground Railroad in northwest Ohio and a general understanding of the lifestyles during the early to mid-1800s. I originally did the research for a community musical I co-wrote for Ohio's bi-centennial in 2003. That research has been recycled for both of Ginny's books and a children's reader called Sidetracked. I put in several years researching northwest Ohio.

With my non-fiction children's book called Skateboarding. I had about three weeks to learn about the sport, and write the piece. That research included plenty of library books and an interview with some locals at a skate park. It is a hi-lo book which means high interest for upper grades with simple vocabulary readable at a lower grade level.

How do you select the names of your characters?

I've used names of family and friends in many of my novels/manuscripts, but sometimes I just pick a name that works with the other characters or situations in the book.

My manuscripts for children mostly have non-family names. In Lucy's case, the inspiration for the main character is a younger relative's fear of storms. However, the only Lucy I knew of was my husband's late aunt, and she wasn't the scared young lady in my life who loves to cuddle with her pets.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Check out the little bat in Lucy and Thunder. That's all I'm saying for now.

Just for fun:

If you could have any super power, which would it be?

The ability to stretch or shorten time would be a wonderful asset. Think of all the extra hours for completing a story and all those chores that get in the way. Once the book was submitted and accepted, waiting for publication could be shortened so the reader (and the writer) could get the book sooner.

Bettie Boswell has always loved to read and create stories. That interest helped her create musicals for both church and school and eventually she decided to write and illustrate stories to share with the world. Her first experience with Christian romance started when she spent a summer with her grandmother during her early teen years and read a Grace Livingston Hill novel. Now she reads a Christian novel every week and sometimes more than one. Her writing interests extend from children's to adult fiction and non-fiction. Her first romance novel, On Cue, debuted November 2020. The prequel to that novel, called Free to Love is also available from Mt. Zion Ridge Press. Her children's books include Skateboarding and Sidetracked. In 2023 she has two more children's books coming, where she will be both author and illustrator. They are Lucy and Thunder and Dottie's Dream Horse. She has also contributed to educational works, magazine articles, and devotional and short story anthologies. She has two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and a busy minister husband.

Bettie is giving away an ebook. If you are interested in winning one, comment on the blog and include your email address by May 3, 2023. We need five comments to choose a winner.

A Hopeful mouse-sized nibble

 

Welcome to The Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. 

Today we have a mystery guest.

 

RS: Who do we have here?

Grace: Grace Hopeful. Let’s just call me Grace.

Rs. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?

Grace: There’s not much to tell. I know we each are given our own unique gifts.  But what on earth is one to do with the gift to gab with volume, to be able to dream with a vivid imagination on top of it all? My mouth and imagination tend to get me in some sticky situations.

RS: Care to expound a bit?

Grace: Somewhere a long life I was given some advice, a treasure. They suggested I learn to write my adventures as short stories and tell them on stage. Now I’m a writer, a speaker, and an entertainer for the Lord.

RS: I love how you’ve learned to use your gifts for Him. What is considered a short story?

Grace: A mouse-sized nibble of a novel.  

RS: Is that like a pinch in cooking?

Grace: Sort of. You must tell a complete story with all the components in a short amount of time. Like cutting the recipe in half. Think of an anti dot. No, wait an Aunty dot, no that’s not it. An oh, what’s the word? Anecdote. Well, you know, when a speaker gives an example to make a point.

RS: You often hear a minister use them in a sermon. How can these be helpful to an author?

Grace: Mine often change from me being in trouble to explaining the truth. Believe me, I’ve spent time in more than one interview with the police and that handsome Detective Justin Hardy. Writing tight and still getting all the important facts in is a key to a short story.

RS: Who is this detective?

Grace: You will need to read my short stories to find out. 😊

 Be sure and check them out in the coming week or so.

RS: I’ve read your short stories, Grace. You are a unique character. Do you think every author should write short stories?

Grace: What? You mean they don’t? Heavens! If it weren’t for short stories I wouldn’t be around. They can be used for so many things. A good laugh, a fun giveaway, to hook readers on an author—even as a teaching tool. Goodness, what wonderful practice and fun.

RS: Is that all they can be used for?

Grace. No way. You can post them on the internet. Who knows? One day you may hear one of yours in a sermon or on stage! You can send them to contest, magazines or publish several as an anthology. There are even vending machines to put them in so people can have a quick read while waiting for the train, bus, or plane. Or you can pull them out of a hat to get yourself out of trouble.  Hehehe.

RS: Now Grace, I’m not sure that the last one is a good idea. I’ve heard tell pulling stories out of a hat is what got you into a mess, to begin with.

Grace: I suppose so, at that. But in the end, they get me out of the fix.

RS: What else do we need to know about short stories?

Grace: A short story can be about anything in any genre. If done correctly and well, they can scare the pants off you or feel like a hug from a warm teddy bear. Only your imagination and the sky are the limits.

RS: You mentioned your stories and a detective. Where can we find these stories?

Grace: You can find them and others on the Lady SONshine website.

 https://renettesteele.com/category/short-story/

https://thewritepractice.com/

https://medium.com/@renettesteele

RS: Thank you so much for stopping in today Miss Grace Hopeful.

Grace: You're welcome. Thank you for having me.

RS: Be sure and read a short story today. May you be blessed with His SONshine.

Renette Steele

Lady SONshine

renettesteele.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get to Know Janet Thompson on the Diamond Mine!

I’m delighted to introduce my new friend and fellow author, JANET THOMPSON, to the Rough Diamond Writers, today. Janet was introduced to me through a mutual friend who sent a copy of her blog post this past week. And it was sister-ship on my end at first read.

Welcome Janet, and in one small question that takes a paragraph to answer, can you tell us when, why, and how you began writing?

In 1995 while managing an insurance agency and attending Fuller Theological Seminary, I heard a call from the Lord to "feed my sheep." Later He revealed the sheep were women and the feeding was mentoring. I took the steps to start a mentoring ministry at my church, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. The ministry turned out to be successful and other churches started calling to find out what we were doing. I couldn’t tell them in a phone call, so I sat down and wrote the Woman to Woman Mentoring Resources, available exclusively now at our website, where you can also read more of my story and testimony. Writing these resources also launched my speaking and writing ministry, About His Work Ministry.

And isn’t that a writer’s heart? You just sat down and wrote…love it! Our readers are always interested to know about the personal side of your life. Please tell us about your family, your church, and your favorite scripture passage.

My husband Dave and I are a blended family. Together we have four children and eleven sweet grandchildren living throughout the United States, but we’re blessed to have one family living within an hour from where we live. We were members at Saddleback Church for twenty-three years and served there before moving to the rural mountains of Idaho, where we attend a small community church and Dave is an elder. The theme of the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry is Titus 2:3-5, and mentoring is at the heart of everything I write and speak about: one generation sharing life's experiences and God's faithfulness with the next generation.

The rural mountains of Idaho? That seems like a dream come true…except in the winter. What fills your time when you’re not in front of the computer?

I must admit I do have calluses on my hands from hours writing and networking on the computer. In fact, I have two screens and one of my screens is actually a TV monitor. It’s so wonderful in today's world to reach so many people at one time without having to leave your home. That's how I met you! But I love spending time with my grandchildren, and as I said most are in different states, so we try to plan my speaking around trips to visit them and spend as much time as we can with those that live close to us. When weather permits, I take a three-mile mountain walk that gets the blood and ideas flowing. I'm a three-time breast cancer survivor. I feel the Lord spared my life for a specific purpose: to spread the Gospel, help Christians grow in faith to mentor new believers and seekers, and focus my time and energy on things that have kingdom value. My husband and I co-facilitate a Couples Small Group at our church, I'm doing a Bible study with my young granddaughters, and mentoring several young women long distance. I write a Monday Morning Blog and a Monthly Newsletter...so I guess being About His Work would be my pass time and hobby.

What is your heart’s desire for the reader to understand from your writing?

I have a passion for our generation to teach and train the next generation. That we would understand this is the job description for EVERY Christian, male and female. There are no qualifiers in passages like Titus 2:1-8 or Psalm 145:4 or so many others. They don't say if you feel like it, or have time, or it's your calling . . . they all say "One generation will..." I feel we are seeing the fall in our culture today because “One generation didn't . . .”

My latest book Forsaken God: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten is the most passionate book I've written to date on this topic, and it's written to both men and women. God gave me the idea for that book ten years ago, but I know now why He had it come out February 2016, because I wrote it for such a time as this when we’ve reached a point in our culture where God has been from the public square. But with the new administration, we have a chance to bring God back into our culture, but the church must lead this revival and it must start with individual Christians.

Will you share your WIP?

I have a book releasing this fall with Leafwood Publishers Mentoring for All Seasons: Women Sharing Life’s Experiences and God’s Faithfulness, which I’m very excited about as it will help women either mentor or be mentored in every season from tweens to death.

I’m currently writing Get Your Brave On and am soliciting stories from women who had a time in their life where God asked them to be brave. Maybe they didn’t see it as brave at the time, but they knew they couldn’t have done it without God, or others have told them their actions were brave even when they were just doing what comes naturally. They can contact me for more guidelines at ahw@sbcglobal.net

And finally do you have a word of encouragement or advice for new writers?

When anyone asks about writing, I always advise to attend a writer’s conference. I never aspired to be an author, ever. But after starting the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry, I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference ten times, and that is where I learned to write. I made so many contacts and took all the workshops, and did finally get a proposal accepted by Howard Books/ Simon & Schuster for my book Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer: A Companion Guide For Women on the Breast Cancer Journey. That book came next after the Woman to Woman Mentoring resources, with many rejections in between in which I perfected my craft.

The other advice is never self-publish without paying for professional editing. You can’t edit your own work! And your family, friends, other authors…can’t do it either. If you think you have a project worth publishing, it’s worth doing it right.

And I just want to add a little blip. Go to: http://dianegates.wordpress.com/ to read Janet’s blog that introduced me to this fine author and sister-laborer-together in sharing the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gail Pallotta Chats About Barely Above Water on the Diamond Mine

This week, we have Christian author, Gail Pallotta on the Diamond Mine. 

She’s chatting with our very own Renee Blare about her latest book, Barely Above Water, her writing life, fun, and fiction. She’s also giving away a fabulous prize to one winner so read on! Oh…don’t forget to check out how to enter the giveaway at the end of the post! Drawing’s in one week!

GAIL PALLOTTA

RB: Hello, Gail…welcome to the Diamond Mine. I’m so glad you could be here today. I hear you have a new book, Barely Above Water. Congratulations! What can you tell us about it?

GP: Thank you, Renee, yes I do. Where should I start? The main character has an illness the medical doctors can’t diagnose, so she’s told they can’t help. It appears hopeless, but by divine intervention she’s led to an alternative doctor. The story is fictitious, but it’s based on my struggle with Chronic Lyme Disease. The divine intervention, symptoms and treatments are real. However, the rest is made up. I only wish I were in my twenties.

The real doctors behind the story are David G. Lee, D.C., Ph.D., C.Ad., and Raphael d’Angelo, M.D., who’s also a holistic doctor.

Dr. Lee

David Lee, D.C., Ph.D., C.Ad., runs Wellness Revolution Clubs in Woodstock, Georgia, and Daytona Beach, Florida. To learn more about him visit http://www.pmadirectory.us/georgia/woodstock/health-practitioner/david-lee

Dr. d'Angelo

Raphael d’Angelo, M.D., and holistic doctor, runs ParaWellness Research Program in Aurora, Colorado. To learn more about him visit https://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/tag/dr-dangelo/

RB: Lyme Disease? Whoa…I’m sorry to hear you’ve had to suffer with that. It does not sound fun at all, although your book sounds captivating. Speaking of your book, how do you keep your characters “three dimensional?”

GP: The characters become who they are by what they think, say and do. Their reactions often tell as much as their actions. Descriptions, chatter and thoughts about them from other characters help to round them out.

RB: I understand what you’re saying. So, when you’re writing and they are developing, do you have a particular “way” you write or do you just “wing” it?

GP: I start with a rough outline, an overview of the plot and brief character sketches. Then I write a rough draft of the book. While I’m doing this, the plot and characters grow and change, so I keep re-writing. Sometimes I let one of my characters journal a few pages through me. These entries don’t go in the book, but give me an idea of what that character might do in a particular situation.

RB: Cool! The journaling thing sounds pretty neat. I’ve never tried that before. I may just do that someday. By the way, why did you start writing novels? Is that all you write?

GP: I’ve written stories as long as I can remember and have always wanted to write novels. However, I’ve spent most of my life working as an editor or copywriter and an article writer. During the years I published articles, I was humbled and honored when someone nominated me for Who’s Who in Writers, Editors and Poets. I appeared in the book in 1988, and again in the 1992-93 edition. To this day, I don’t know who suggested me. In years past, I’ve written poetry on the side, sometimes getting up at night to jot down a poem, or writing one at work during down time. I recently self-published some of my poems in a book, Messages. Now that my husband’s semi-retired and my daughter’s grown, I have time to write books.  

RB: What an honor…to be acknowledged. Even if you may never know by whom. Many writers never see their dream of publishing much less recognition in such a book. If you could name your biggest challenge as an author, what would it be?

GP: Marketing, hands down. First of all, I’m computer inept, and that makes it challenging to participate in some social media. Blogging seems to have been all the rage, died down and is now making a comeback. Facebook parties appear to be waning right now and online chats don’t seem to work. I’ve tried a little paid advertising, and it seems to help some, but it’s difficult to know the right place to spend my pennies. I would love to have advice from those who market successfully.

EMERALD BEACH

RB: I’m right there with you, sister. I still blog and plug the social media outlets…true, not as handily as I used to (or as often). And my money is limited also so it goes to very few sources of paid advertising…very few. I personally would love to know what a “successful” marketing scheme is too! Anyway, back to your book, tells us about your setting. Is it unique and how did you select it?

GP: I chose Destin on Florida’s Emerald Coast because I love it and can’t think of anywhere more romantic. Emerald water so clear you can see through it surrounds white sand on three sides. The Gulf on one shore and the bay on the other meet near the harbor shoreline. Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” it’s a small tourist town with pristine beaches and fun activities.

RB: I’ve never been there but it sounds like a place I may want to take a vacation! LOL Who knows, I’ll read your book and may just schedule a trip. Heeheee… Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do when you aren’t working?

GP: I swim three times a week. I treasure my church and occasions I spend with family and friends. I also enjoy making flower arrangements when I have extra time.

RB: Is there a special quote or verse which comes to your mind in times of need or adversity?

GP: Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  

Thanks for sharing with the Diamond Mine today, Gail. It’s been a lot of fun! It’s also been an honor getting to know a bit more about your new book, Barely Above Water. I know anyone who reads it, including me, is going to love it! I can’t wait to crack it open. J

____________________

STOP!!! DON’T GO!

WE HAVE AN

AWESOME GIVEWAY!

Gail’s giving away an e-book of Barely Above Water

AND

8 oz. of Dark Truffle Rooibos tea from Camellia Estate Tea (tea U.S. residents).

Answer this question in the comments below to enter (leave your email please!):

As a reader, where do you go online most often to learn about books?

(One winner will be selected by random draw on 5/4/16 from comments with emails. Minimum of 5 comments required to validate contest.)

____________________

About the Book:

An illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. Suzie relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, and turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida. She takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners. Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but can he overcome his fear of losing a loved one and regain Suzie’s trust?

Buy Barely Above Water on Amazon at Amazon.com/dp/B01DN2UTTS

About the Author:

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s been a best-selling author on All Romance eBooks. She’s published four books, poems, short stories, and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

Web site: http://www.gailpallotta.com

Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords?lang=en

Flee from Evil GIVEAWAY with Connie Almony

Today we have Connie Almony stopping by for a visit, and she comes bearing gifts! A GIVEAWAY of her latest release, Flee from Evil, is up for grabs. 

 

Flee from Evil

A pastor with a past uses his underworld connections to try and save the child of the woman he wronged many years ago.

 

Pastor Vince Steegle thought his destructive beginnings were ancient history, but the ramifications of his prior choices just walked in the door of his church. Is Romans 8:28 really true? Can God really make all things good? Or is Vince's past just too ugly?

 

After the death of her much-beloved husband, Cassandra Whitaker is looking for security for her children. One, a teen on the cusp of womanhood. The other, a young boy struggling with the effects of autism. But there are those who seek to destroy them. Can Cassandra keep her family safe, or must she flee from evil?

 

 

Rebekah:  What's your favorite things about the romance and romantic suspense genres?

Connie:  I like stories that make my pulse pound. Romance and suspense do just that - though each for different reasons :o).

 

Rebekah:  Describe Flee from Evil in 3 separate words.

Connie:  Poignant, Real, Redemptive

 

Rebekah:  If your book was made into a movie, what actors would you cast as your main hero and heroine?

Connie:  When I first began conceptualizing this book (almost twenty years ago), the hero, Vince, had an eerie quality that made him sort of dangerously attractive. He is a pastor with a past, and I wanted him to have to fight some inner demons as he redeemed his life. For that reason, I first saw Val Kilmer (as portrayed in the movie, The Saint) in the role. However, as time marched on, the character took on a lighter quality and began to appear in my mind a cross between Mac Powell of Third Day--in the Come Together years--and Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica (back when I was a girl). If I had to choose and actor today, I think it would be Chris Pine with his dark and charismatic grin, contrasted by striking blue eyes.

 

I did not have a female in mind when I created Cassandra. However, I'd found a picture of Debra Messing which resembled much of how I'd conceptualized the character. But she is currently about fifteen years older than Cassandra, so I'd have to pick Jennifer Lawrence (with hair dyed auburn) to play the character today.

 

Rebekah:  How long did it take you to write this book? How do you balance writing with other responsibilities (job, family, etc.)?

Connie:  Does conceptualizing count? That's been about twenty years. However, once I sat down to put it to paper, it took more like six months. Balancing writing with other responsibilities has been difficult. I work part-time at a Christian counseling office, and I have daily care of my now-adult son struggling with the effects of autism (his ten-year-old self is in Flee from Evil). You'd think these things would take time away from writing but it's more the fact that my very chatty husband works from home that distracts me from immersing myself in story world. What's worse is when my daughter has way too many snow days, creating another source of distraction in a house that has no quiet place (my writing desk is in the kitchen) unless all members are out of it. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to spend so much time with my family as I do. However, a moment of peace here and there never hurts! Even Jesus took time away to be by himself.

 

Rebekah:  When did you realize you first wanted to be a writer?

Connie:  I've dabbled in writing for years, never thinking I'd do it seriously. Suddenly, I'd get an idea for a scene (not even a whole story) and feel the need to write it down. However, I truly caught the bug after helping my daughter work on a project for school where she had to write a Cinderella story set in Greece. Together, we brainstormed ideas. Some she used--and made them sing. Others, she discarded, to my chagrin. I decided then and there I wasn't going to let her have all the fun (nor the control), so I began to write my own story. And I kept on writing! I've never enjoyed something so much in my life. AND I've never worked so hard!

 

Rebekah:  Do you stick to your TBR pile or are you an impulsive book buyer? What are you currently reading?

Connie:  Impulsive book buyer!!! There are so many great books out now with all the indie authors. Many are my favorites! And eBook prices make it very reasonable to read lots of book within one week. Currently, at the request of my daughter, I'm reading The Testing Series--a dystopian YA trilogy. It's very good. Just before that I read Tamara Leigh's newest release, Baron of Emberly.

Rebekah:  At some point an author has to torture their characters. Tell us the truth. Do you enjoy or hate it?

Connie:  It depends on the torture and who is at the receiving end of it. Some bad guys need a little torture--he he! And sometimes the good guys need a fire lit that will move them forward. However, I have been known to cry while writing certain scenes and even in the editing and polishing phases, because even though I know the torture is good for them in the end, it hurts to watch them go through it. I have to laugh, because I always remind my daughter when she's really into a book or TV show, "You know that isn't real, don't you?" Yes, we know these stories are just fiction. You'd think I'd know it more when I'm the author of them. And yet, it pains me just the same. I suspect that's what God feels (and more) when He watches us go through trials He's authored, knowing these are necessary to bring us into a deeper relationship with Him.

 

Rebekah:  Who's your number one fictional character crush OR favorite fictional couple?

Connie:  Other than the men I write??? Sigh! It's a heady thing to be able to create your perfect romantic hero. But I'll give you someone else's.

This will sound cliché, but I have to say it . . . my favorite fictional couple is Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice. Not because it was the best book ever . . . necessarily. Mostly, because it reminds me of how I came to love my husband. You see I married Mr. Darcy, and maybe the only man in the world who appreciates that novel. Whenever I play the A&E video version of it, he makes sure to watch the part where Mr. Darcy first proposes to Lizzie (getting pointers, I'm sure), telling her how much he loves her in spite of all her deficits. Very much like conversations we've had. I know, sounds awful. But as Mr. Darcy says, "Your good opinion is rarely bestowed, and therefore more worth the earning!" My husband's disdain for empty flattery was part of what drew me to him. When he compliments me, it's like finding a wallet filled with cash in the trash.

Rebekah:  What's one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Connie:  Maybe that I once lived in an all-male dormitory while in grad school. That was the inspiration for my first novel, One Among Men. Though that book is not my life story, there are elements I took from real life that would also surprise readers. You'll have to read it to find out what those are :o).

Connie Almony is trained as a mental health therapist and likes to mix a little fun with the serious stuff of life. She was a 2012 semi-finalist in the Genesis Contest for Women's Fiction and was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Winter 2012 WOW Flash Fiction Contest. She is the author of  At the Edge of a Dark Forest, a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast about a war-vet, amputee struggling with PTSD. Other titles include, An Insignificant Life and One Among Men (the Maryland State University Series), and her current release, Flee from Evil.


Connect with Connie here:
ConnieAlmony.com
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest

Connie's giving away your choice of a paperback or eBook

version of Flee from Evil to anyone within the United States.