I know I've mentioned her before on my blog, but in case you're new, I want to introduce you to my dear friend (and mentor)...Deborah Raney.
If you haven't discovered this author, I can tell you, you are missing out. Her books hook me right from the start, generally thanks to lovable, but realistic characters. And thanks to her generosity, I get to offer her two latest books to one lucky reader!
Before we get there, I decided it might be fun to do a quick "Five on Friday" with Deb. None of those boring questions, just the fun stuff, thankyouverymuch.
And this will give you a little insight into the fun side of the woman behind the fabulous stories...
1. What's your favorite way to relax?
I LOVE leafing through decorating books and magazines...which usually leads to rearranging furniture or creating a new "tablescape"––which isn't quite as relaxing, but I still love making the smallest changes to our house or my office, and feeling like I have a whole new place, which gives me a whole new perspective.
(Deb's studio...she really does change her furniture around on a consistent basis. I have photographic evidence in my inbox!)
2. What's something most people don't know about you?
My husband rues the day, but I was on the debate team in high school and as a senior novice, I won many top speaker awards. I still LOVE putting those debate skills into practice––especially in my marriage. ; )
3. What inspires your stories?
Real life! When our youngest son's fiancée (now wife) "guilted" him into reading one of my books for the first time, he called me to tell me how much he enjoyed it, but more than that, how much of OUR family he saw in that novel. And it's true. I often use bits and pieces of conversations and events that have happened in our real lives. Of course, most of my stories come completely from my imagination, and for the most part, you'll have to guess which is which. I will say that the story about the blue cup in A NEST OF SPARROWS is all true, and my kids still won't let me live that one down! : )
4. Describe yourself in three words.
Happy. Content. On-the-edge-of-ditzy. (Sorry. Had to hyphenate that last one because I'm really not a TOTAL ditz, but definitely lean that way!)
5. If you could break one writing rule and get away with it, what would it be?
What a great question. You know, I LOVE the rules of writing. Learning "the rules" helped me become SO much better at writing, that I really have NO desire to break any of the rules on a regular basis. But I suppose if I were FORCED to break one, it would involve adverbs. I love me some adverbs and would use them a LOT more if it hadn't been forcefully, relentlessly, arduously, convincingly, yet lovingly hammered into me NOT to use them. There! I did it! ; )
And because I am long-winded and this is just too much fun, I added two bonus questions. But "Seven on Friday" has no alliteration and is therefore not nearly as fun to say, so let's pretend there are only FIVE questions!
6. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? (Only one?)
That is SO easy! Homemade ice cream!! I trust that I could try various flavors? But if not, peanut butter chocolate wouldn't be a bad way to spend the rest of my days!
7. What's something you're really looking forward to?
You must know that I "collect" things to look forward to! I'm a very happy and content person, and I can be happy staying home with nothing on my schedule for weeks on end, but I do love having fun things on the horizon. Great dates on my calendar in the next few months include a trip to Iowa where all our kids and grandkids AND Ken and my parents will be gathered. Then in September the ACFW conference will not only allow me to see my critique partner and dear friend, Tamera Alexander, but I have dinner and coffee scheduled with YOU! : ) And mixed in with those events, two fun author retreats here in Kansas! My life could not be more full and wonderful right now! Thanks for asking! : )
Today, I am thrilled to have these two books to give away...
They are the first two in Deb's new series, and they are absolutely wonderful.
All you have to do is leave a comment answering one of the seven five questions I asked Deb! Leave it here in the comments section, though, not on Facebook!
I'll leave the comments open until next Wednesday, August 24th. Also, I really can't wait to hear your answers! If you don't win (sorry!), make sure to add Deb's books to your must-read list...you will fall in love!
