Looking Out The Window: Leeann Betts Introduces In Search of Christmas Past, A Romantic Suspense. Giveaway.

A Warm Welcome to Leeann Betts

Leeann will give away EITHER a print book (U.S. residents only) OR an ebook of  In Search of Christmas Past. To enter to win leave a comment and an email address below.

 Hi Leeann, tell us about your latest book.

In Search of Christmas Past is a romantic suspense about two people who want what the other has. Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life.

Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of loyalty to live a life of adventure in the real world.

Can Grace and Luke solve the clues and uncover the truth about their real feelings, or will the tension and their differences in goals and faith drive them apart?

What do you love about this book?

 And what do you hope readers will tell others about it? I love the fact that despite our best laid plans, God still has room to work His way into our lives and get us on the right path.

In three words describe your style of writing. Structured. Passionate. God-centered.

How do you get to know your characters?

I usually spend about two chapters writing backstory, then I work my way through to the real start of the story. I delete the backstory, marvel at what I discovered about my characters, and weave in the backstory later.

What themes do you write about?

 I write about second. . . and third. . . and fourth chances and a God Who is bigger than our mistakes.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write? I usually write in my office, but two or three times a week, I can be found in a local coffee shop, because I find that getting away from the laundry and cobwebs that scream at me for attention helps me focus.

Are you a plotter or a pantzer?

I am a plotter, and I have used all forms of plotting tools in the past including charts, diagrams, snowflakes, and the like. I’ve recently figured out that since I need a teaser, a blurb, and a synopsis for a publisher, I might as well start with that. So I write those before I write my story, and it serves as a plot outline for me. Keeps me on track, too.

Does your faith affect your writing? If so, how?

As a born-again Jesus follower, my faith affects every part of my life. Otherwise, I couldn’t call myself a Jesus follower. And while not every book I write has a salvation scene, the characters are on a journey to find where they fit into God’s plan.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Prepare to invest time and money in your writing. Attend writing conferences. Join local writing groups but don’t spread yourself too thin—you don’t need to join every group. Get involved in a critique group. Read books on writing. Read lots of good books and lots of bad books. And ask God to show you His plan for your writing. And don’t be scared off by what He shows you.

What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?

I am an accountant by training, so I guess I’d be counting beans somewhere, just like my heroine in my By The Numbers series. Carly Turnquist, a forensic accountant, has made it her life mission to prove that accountants are not boring. That would be me.

What is the coolest, whackiest thing you've ever done? 

I left everything behind and moved to the US to marry my husband. We met online. But that’s a story for another day.

Introduce us to the main character in your new book. (the one we’re featuring this time)

Grace Bellows is a college student who wants to settle down. Raised by her jet setter grandmother after her parents died, she has lived on just about every continent, enjoyed the best of hotels and food, but finds it hasn’t filled that empty spot in her life. She thinks that if she can just do this one thing—live in one place long enough to wear out the welcome mat—she’ll be happy. What she doesn’t realize is that the God she blames for her parents’ death is still chasing her—and while she might be done with Him, He still has good plans for her.

About In Search of Christmas Past:

Grace Bellows, a senior in college, receives a Christmas card one month after her grandmother’s death, where her beloved Grammie challenges her to an old-fashioned scavenger hunt. Raised by her grandmother after her parents’ death in a car accident when she was eight, Grace has lived a jetsetter lifestyle with her wealthy grandmother. Now all she wants is to settle down and have a normal life.

Luke Fisher manages his family’s Christmas tree farm out of a sense of loyalty to his deceased mother because she gave up her dreams of being an attorney. He doesn’t want to live with any regrets, and longs to escape the confines of loyalty to live a life of adventure in the real world.

Can Grace and Luke solve the clues and uncover the truth about their real feelings, or will the tension and their differences in goals and faith drive them apart?

About Leeann:

Leeann Betts writes contemporary suspense, while her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, pens historical suspense. She has released six titles in her cozy mystery series, By the Numbers, with Petty Cash releasing in December. In addition, Leeann has written a devotional for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial folk, Counting the Days, and with her real-life persona, Donna Schlachter, has published a book on writing, Nuggets of Writing Gold, a compilation of essays, articles, and exercises on the craft. She publishes a free quarterly newsletter that includes a book review and articles on writing and books of interest to readers and writers. You can subscribe at www.LeeannBetts.com or follow Leeann at www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com All books are available on Amazon.com in digital and print, and at Smashwords.com in digital format.

Learn more about Leeann on her website  and receive a free ebook just for signing up for the quarterly newsletter.

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