Double Give-Away with Laura Frantz!

I'm so delighted to share a release date with one of my favorite authors, Laura Frantz, whose book A Moonbow Night launches on January 3 right alongside The Mark of the King! To celebrate the "birthday" of both our eighteenth-century-set books, we are teaming up to give one lucky winner a set of both new releases! (Details on how to enter at the end of this post.)

Here's the blurb for A Moonbow Night:
Her wilderness survival skills are without rival.
But her greatest talent is keeping other people's secrets.

After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke--men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.

Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn't long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own. But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?

With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons you to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.

And the blurb for The Mark of the King:

Life in This New World Requires More Strength Than She Ever Imagined

After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace--and love--can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.

Now, if you're already familiar with Laura Frantz and love her writing, the good news is that RT Reviews says you'll love The Mark of the King too! :)

What an honor! Some books just immerse the reader in the setting, and I think Laura's novels are all excellent examples of that. What is it about a book that makes you feel like you are "right there" with the characters? Leave a comment answering the question, and you'll be entered in the drawing! You may enter by commenting either here, or on Laura's blog. Your entry will be counted either way!

*Enter by the end of Dec. 31. The winner will be announced on release day, January 3!

Bonus: Free Gift within Moments!

Psst! If you're new around here, welcome! I'm so glad you've stopped by. Did you know that when you subscribe to my e-newslsetter, you'll receive a FREE Christian Historical Fiction Travel Guide? Plus, you'll be part of an exclusive mailing list that is the first to hear about new book releases. It's only mailed one to three times a year, depending on how many books I have coming out. Ready to subscribe and receive your free gift? Do it here. Thank you! (You'll get the link free link once you confirm from your email inbox that you really want to subscribe.)

About the Author:

Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

Comments

Ooh, what a compliment! Thank

Ooh, what a compliment! Thank you so much, Katie! So glad to have you here.

I think the better the

I think the better the descriptive is can make you feel like you are there with the character. The scenery, the sounds, the smells, it all works together to draw you in.

Hi Debra, yes, I'd say the

Hi Debra, yes, I'd say the whole is great than the sum of its parts in this regard, for sure. Thank you for being here!

I think part of it is a book

I think part of it is a book that has an opening scene that draws me into the story right away. And then throughout the story of the characters are not only developed well, but have a great personality it makes them feel like a friend you might even know in real life.

Yes, Amanda, that opening

Yes, Amanda, that opening scene has a big responsibility to the rest of the book! Thanks for being here!

The details and the depth.

The details and the depth. Books that give details complete the mental image in my mind. The depth of characters and hearing their plight make me part of the story. I feel what the characters are feeling, I am a fly on the wall watching it all pan out. Laura's books fit that to a tee!

Oh I love that, Jenica:

Oh I love that, Jenica: details and depth. Yes and yes, and I agree Laura's books are wonderful examples of getting it right!

An author grabs my attention

An author grabs my attention to make me feel I am right there in several different ways. Usually this is done by having a character, setting, situation or emotional reaction with which I identify. Thank you for the giveaway! I am so ready to read A Moonbow NIGHT! Janice pjrcmoore@windstream.net

Hi Janice, I love the variety

Hi Janice, I love the variety of ways your attention can be captured! All great thoughts. Thank you for being here!

When characters are fully

When characters are fully developed, are people you can relate to, and have realistic lives (i.e.: not everything works out perfectly), then I can lose myself in a book. Historically authentic is also important...you do that so well, Jocelyn Green!

Thank you so much, Sue! I'm

Thank you so much, Sue! I'm glad you like when not everything works out perfectly, because that's true again in The Mark of the King. :) Thank you for being here!

Hello! I usually connect with

Hello! I usually connect with a character quicker when the book starts in the middle of a conflict, and when there are good descriptions of all the senses for that character.

Hello Tamara! Yes, I love

Hello Tamara! Yes, I love walking in on a big moment or plenty of tension, too. It's much easier to discern the character of the characters :) when we see how they respond to conflict, isn't it? Thank you for being here!

Its all the senses coming

Its all the senses coming alive with words and real life dialogue between the characters. It's an amazing talent when it works. I can't wait for Laura's book to come out!

Hello Lavonne! Yes! All the

Hello Lavonne! Yes! All the senses coming alive--that is the mark of some serious talent. I'm sure you'll find that in Laura's new book!

Getting involved in the

Getting involved in the emotions of the characters and the immediacy of the action so much so that I feel a part of the story.

Hi Pam, those are two good

Hi Pam, those are two good words to remember as I write the next novel: emotions and immediacy. Thank you for your insight, and for being here!

I fell like I am "right there

I fell like I am "right there" with the characters in a book when there is a good balance of interaction between the characters and insight into their thoughts.

Hi Colleen, That's a great

Hi Colleen, That's a great point! I read a book that didn't quite involve me as much emotionally, and I realized it was because I saw plenty of dialogue, but the characters never had time to reflect on what was happening. It was that insight into their thoughts that was missing, and it made a big difference! Thank you for being here!

I enjoy historic fiction that

I enjoy historic fiction that "immerses" me in the surroundings -- details that involve all of the senses to fully engage my imagination. I love to lose myself in a great story, and depth of detail in setting, characters and culture show me that the author learned more than necessary to weave the history and storyline together.

Ooh I love how you phrased

Ooh I love how you phrased that, Cheryl. I definitely feel like I "learn more than necessary" when I overdose on research, but I think it all helps me in creating a vivid and accurate story world. I'm sre the same is true for Laura. Thank you for being here!

Characters in good historical

Characters in good historical fiction "live" for me, and I appreciate that. Reading about times past teaches as well as provides pleasure. Both of these authors provide description that holds one's interest. None of their works are trivial or filled with nonsense, they are meaty to the last pages. Thank you for such a great giveaway.

Phyllis, thank you for that

Phyllis, thank you for that high praise! What an encouragement. Good luck in the drawing!

I love when an author is good

I love when an author is good at setting the overall tone of the book and its characters. There is something about tone that gets you more drawn in.

Julie, that's a great point!

Julie, that's a great point! The tone and mood of a book can be so captivating. Thank you for being here!

I love quirky characters, so

I love quirky characters, so as I read about them, my brain has to focus on all of their details, and not what's going on in my own life. This helps carry me into the story. If the characters are one-dimensional, or common, then the story is not very engaging and I lose interest.

What a great insight, Julie!

What a great insight, Julie! That makes so much sense. Thank you for being here!

Would love to receive thank

Would love to receive thank you and blessings

Thank you so much for

Thank you so much for entering the drawing, Denise! It's fun to see you here.

Scenery and emotions

Scenery and emotions colliding, and a strong flow of description that isn't broken up unnaturally - dialogue that doesn't sound phony or overly expository. (I live in Canada, so if you can't ship here, disregard my entry)

All such great insight, Laura

All such great insight, Laura Cynthia! I hope you are staying warm in Canada, or at least warm enough! Blessings to you.

I think it's probably the

I think it's probably the dialogue

Dialogue is so important!

Dialogue is so important! Thanks for chiming in and for being here, Ola.

I feel like I'm right there

I feel like I'm right there when the scene is described so well that I can picture myself in the same place. Sometimes I feel that I'm just standing off to one side. Also, when I get a glimpse of what the character is thinking and feeling, I almost want to talk to them, encourage them or give them advice.

Kathleen, we have much in

Kathleen, we have much in common then! I sometimes whisper to the characters--and other times I almost shout at them! ;) Thank you for being here!

When the author shares sights

When the author shares sights, smells, and gets me inside a character's heart then I can get lost I. A book. A good storyline that makes me think while I read keeps me absorbed in a book.

Kate, yes I agree that all of

Kate, yes I agree that all of those things are critical ingredients to a great book. Thanks for sharing and for entering the drawing!

Descriptions of the settings,

Descriptions of the settings, the way they even smell if it fits. The emotional aspect is a must for me. I want to feel close to my characters.

Agreed, Brenda! I want ALL

Agreed, Brenda! I want ALL the senses, even if it isn't pleasant. :) And the emotions, too--I can't get into a book if I don't care about the characters.

For myself I guess it would

For myself I guess it would be that the story really allows the emotions of the characters be felt in great depth. What is seen or felt is given in a way that it ignites the senses and allows your heart to become one with the characters lives. ie. if it is a love scene, it is sweet and yet it is able to make you sigh ! I know I am a romantic at heart and I just love when the story comes to life !!!

Linda Marie, I love how you

Linda Marie, I love how you phrased that: what is seen or felt. That reinforces the writing guideline of "show, don't tell"! Thanks for being here!

Ooooh, both of these books

Ooooh, both of these books look amazing!!

Why thank you, Terese! I'm

Why thank you, Terese! I'm glad you've dropped in to enter the drawing!

To be there with the

To be there with the characters, it's a matter of them sharing themselves with the readers. It's not all love and butterflies, but struggles and hardship as well. We go through highs and lows, so it's good to hear about someone else's journey and have someone to walk along with for a little while.

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Double Give-Away with Laura Frantz!

Bonus: Free Gift within Moments!

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