Book Giveaway Today! Your Choice, My Gift.

Need a last minute gift or something nice for yourself? Leave your name and email in the comments, and tonight (Tuesday, 12/23/14) I'll draw for a free e-book from any of my titles:

I'll also add you to my email newsletter, but don't worry, they'll come few and far between, only 3-4 times a year at best. I'll store it up for when I have big announcements, new books releasing, or a great contest going on. You might also get a free short story now and then.

I'll announce the winner here tonight, and on my Facebook author page Naomi Musch - Author.

Merry Christmas, and may your New Year be bright!
Naomi

COTT'S December Clash Victory Goes To...

KINSALE KISSES

Congratulations, Elizabeth Maddrey! Kinsale Kisses received enough votes to claim the win! 

This clash received more votes than any other clash in COTT history. So we offer a big thank-you and a standing ovation to each of our contestants: Rachel A James with The Forgotten Princess of Elmetia, Heather Gray with Queen, Julie Arduini with Entrusted, Caryl McAdoo with A Little Lower Than The Angels, and Janet Sketchley with Secrets & Lies. We're honored to have had you with us!

And now, let's hear about our winning title!

About the Book

She wants stability. He wants spontaneity. What they need is each other.

Colin O’Bryan cashed out of the software company he founded and started a new life in Ireland. Content to wander from town to town as a traveling musician, he had no goals beyond healing from the betrayals that led to his career change, and finding his next gig.

After the death of her parents, Rachel Sullivan hoped her aunt’s B&B on the Southern coast of Ireland would be a place for her to settle and start a new life. Though she can’t deny the sparks in Colin’s touch, his lack of concern for hearth and home leave her torn. Can this free-spirited minstrel win her heart or will Rachel choose roots and stability over love?

This gentle inspirational romance will take you on a journey to Cork County, Ireland and give you a glimpse of Kinsale, Charles Fort, Blarney Castle, and Cobh as Rachel and Colin undergo their own journey of self-discovery as they learn that God's plans are bigger than their own and that waiting on Him is worth the insecurity it brings.

Author’s Note

Ireland has always been a place I dreamed about. My husband and I were able to travel there in 2003 and again in 2005. We’re counting the days until we’re able to go back. This novella (short, around 150 pages, or 30,000 words) started as a short break from some of the heavier aspects of writing the Remnants series (Faith Departed, Hope Deferred, and Love Defined) and it turned into something I’m particularly proud of. Rachel and Colin were a delight to get to know — I hope you’ll take the time to spend some time with them, traveling around Ireland and falling in love.

Purchase now and step onto Irish soil in minutes: Amazon

About the Author:

Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who loves a good happily ever after.

Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of computers, math, and organization steered her into computer science at Wheaton College, she always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. This continued through a Master’s program in Software Engineering, several years in the computer industry, teaching programming at the college level, and a Ph.D. in Computer Technology in Education. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity.

She lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys.

Visit her Website

A Few Voter Comments 

Elizabeth Maddrey is now on my top 3 favorite author list. I have read each and every one of her books, and they are beautifully written.  Gtrat Christian fiction! Can't wait for a new release by Elizabeth Maddrey.

Elizabeth Maddrey writes with rich characters and refreshing honesty. I'm looking forwarded to her next work.

one I've read already, one - besides Kinsale Kisses by ELIZABETH MADDREY - remains on my TBR pile / list!  I'm all about all things Irish, so of course I've to vote for the Irish story in the lot, don'tcha know!!

***

That wraps up our final clash of 2014. Thank you for playing with us and for supporting our authors. God bless all the writers represented in this Clash. Thank you for serving Him with your pen!

Author & Book Feature: Ruth O'Neil ~ Belonging

I am happy to introduce to you author Ruth O'Neil. Ruth has been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, publishing hundreds of articles in dozens of publications as well as a few books. In interviewing Ruth, I discovered we had quite a bit in common. We even talked about how we are sharing something of a "Ruth & Naomi" experience as we are doing a blog swap. Ruth is visiting my blog today. I visited hers last Monday. 

Ruth loves encouraging others, and she describes herself as very loyal to her friends, even if they aren’t necessarily in return. Ruth said, "I love helping people and being there for them with a hug, a word of encouragement, or a little something to lift them up." I hope you'll enjoy getting acquainted with this prolific author and her writing.

Ruth, describe the genre of your writing so readers can be better acquainted with you, and tell us about your most recent book.

I write inspirational fiction. I love to make people laugh and cry. If they do, I know that I’ve touched them in some way.

My most recent book came out this past July. It’s entitled Belonging. After the death of her father, painfully shy and introverted Shelly finds her world turned upside down. She is forced to speak with people and she may even have to move from her comfortable apartment. Sorting through her father’s possessions at his house brings back many memories, including how they would research her mom’s genealogy so that in a way, she could get to know her mother’s family who are all deceased. Shelly wonders why her dad never researched his own family and she never remembers any family events. Why? She begins a journey that takes her to places she never dreamed. Throughout the entire story, God nudges Shelly to get out of her comfort zone. That’s easy for some, but for Shelly it may almost be impossible.

I've noticed we have several things in common. Besides the fact that we are both authors, we are also both veteran homeschoolers, and share interests in camping and hiking with our families. How have you managed to work writing into your full time career as a homeschool mom?

In a word…it ain’t easy! When my oldest child was getting ready to go to school, I looked forward to the day. In fact, I couldn’t wait for all of my children to be in school so I could spend my days writing. Well, as with many of my plans, God changes things. When it came right down to it, we just didn’t feel that we could send our kids to public school and we couldn’t afford private schools. Even though I really only get to write part time, it brings in enough money to feel like I’m helping out financially. We consider ourselves an income and a half family. 

As far as writing time, I learned long ago that small bits of time can be very productive. I do a lot of thinking when I’m doing menial chores around the house so that when I can actually sit down to write I can just scribble away what I’ve been contemplating. As the kids have gotten older, I find I have a little more time (not much, but some) for writing. But I never allow it to come before my family.

What are some of your most favorite places for outdoor adventure, and do these kinds of places or family activities ever make their way into your stories?

There is one campground not too far from home that we visit a lot. We are fortunate to live 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Mountains, which gives us plenty of places to choose from for hiking. Our camping spot did make it into one of my books, Come Eat at My Table. Due to some financial circumstances the family decided to make camping their vacation one year and visit a lot of local historical sites.

It seems we also both enjoy mentoring aspiring writers. For those who may be starting a writing journey, tell us about the writers' forums you are involved with.

I have two different forums that I host. One is on breaking into freelance writing and the other is about writing a novel from beginning to end. I am actually using the novel forum and stretching it out teaching at a homeschool co-op. I am LOVING working with the kids, and some of them are sooooo talented. I can’t wait to see their finished novels. 

I have only been able to teach these forums locally, but I am in the process of developing them for online classes. The want-to-be writer will receive a lesson a week as well as personal mentoring along the way.

What is the most important word of writing/living advice or thought on your heart you'd like to share with readers today?

Do what you love. I am fortunate enough to have a job that I enjoy doing. When we go on vacation as a family, my work goes with me. (Can’t risk an idea being lost just because I’m not “at work.”) God has truly blessed me and our family by allowing me to write and do what I love on a daily basis. Not everyone can say that. But, if at all possible, do what you love.


Ruth O'Neil invites you to visit and learn more about her at:

http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/

http://www.ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RuthONeilAuthor