Sword of Forgiveness Give-away & Author Chat with Debbie Lynne Costello

UPDATE: This give-away is now closed. The winner is Tammy Cordery. Congrats! Today we are blessed to have Debbie Lynne Costello with us, author of the recently released medieval novel: Sword of Forgiveness! Sword of Forgiveness is on my list of books to read in March for Reading Month, and one lucky person will get to do so for FREE! Give-away details will be further in the post. First, here's what the book is all about:

After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father’s estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn’t enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution.

Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin’s wise and kind nature begin to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was about eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.

I couldn't resist asking Debbie Lynne just a few questions before we share an excerpt from her novel, and I know you'll want to hear her answers as well:

Jocelyn: What inspired you to write a medieval novel/series?

Debbie Lynne: I loved to read medievals. They were my favorite before I started writing, but it was hard to find anything Christian. So when I decided to write it was only natural to write a medieval. Who can resist the fair maidens and the handsome knights? Jocelyn: So true! Can you let us in on your research process for Sword of Forgiveness? It seems like a daunting task! How did you do it? Debbie Lynne: Because I'd read a lot of medieval books I thought I had a good idea of how things worked. But when I started reading research books I discovered that knights and medieval times varied greatly in what could and couldn't be done, depending on the year and the country. I own all of Francis Gies medieval books and used them for a lot of my research. I even pulled out my old encyclopedias when I wasn't getting a clear picture and needed a little more information. LOL Jocelyn: There seems to be a surge of interest in medieval books lately! Why do you think that is? Debbie Lynne: I don't think that it is new interest. The truth is the CBA [Christian Book Association] wouldn't even look at medieval books. I tried to get this book published 7 years ago and was told that the time period was a problem. But Melanie Dickerson really paved the road for medievals with her YA [Young Adult] fairy tale retellings. I think the CBA finally had to admit that readers wanted medieval books because it wasn't just YA people buying Melanie's books.  It has taken a long time for me to hold this book in my hand, and I know there are many others who have had a medieval sitting on their computer and are waiting for it to be published. Jocelyn: That is so interesting! I know you’ve been writing for years, very active blogging, and have been incredibly supportive of other authors. I remember when you had me on your blog when my own debut novel released! Can you share with us your top three tips for aspiring writers? Debbie Lynne: I'd love to share! I remember when you debuted. What an exciting time. Top three tips which come from my road to publication would be:

1. You are going to get discouraged in this industry so I won't tell you not to. It is inevitable. But what I will tell you is after you've had a good cry give yourself a day and then pull up your big girl (or boy) socks and push forward. YOU CAN DO IT! Make the determination win over the discouragement.
2. Find some good critique partners that you really click with. It is so important that your crit partner 'gets' your writing. So seek out one that completes you as an author. And find some prayer partners that are in the industry. They can really help you through hard times and know how to pray.
3. Build a platform. If you go traditional, indie, or hybrid you will need a platform. And the later it gets the more you are vying for spots because it seems these days it doesn't matter what your career is social media is used. I'd take a few classes on marketing, social media, and selling yourself as an author.

 Jocelyn: Excellent advice! I wholeheartedly concur. What is the one thing you most want your readers to come away with after reading Sword of Forgiveness? What is that you want to stick with them long after they’ve turned the last page? Debbie Lynne: I want them to know and understand that no matter what you've done in your life, we serve a God who is full of grace and mercy. You can go to the cross and no matter your sin, if you repent, He WILL forgive you. Thank you so much for having me on here today Jocelyn. I’m looking forward to chatting with your followers.

Excerpt

Prologue

 Cumberland, England, 1398 Brithwin gazed at her father's grey, lifeless face as she crossed the room. Other than a pinprick to her conscience, there was no sorrow. She faltered. Was his chest rising and falling? A dull roar filled her ears, drowning out her pounding heart. She gasped. Nay. Nay! Hadn’t the priest said his soul was at rest? Hadn’t she watched as the icy fingers of death slowly robbed him of his last breath? A shudder slithered through her body. Was it a sin to find relief in his death? He couldn’t hurt her anymore. Surely God would not find fault with her. Perhaps her father’s sudden passing was God’s punishment for all the wrongs he had done her. The shuffling of feet brought her contemplations to a halt. “It’s all right to grieve, dear one—the tears will help you heal.” Pater, a follower of John Wycliffe and branded a Lollard, laid his hand on her shoulder. Brithwin pushed aside her conflicting feelings. “You know there is no sorrow in me for his death. Only relief that he is gone and anger for what he has done.” “Don’t let bitterness consume you. It will do your father no harm, but it will slowly drain the joy from your life, my child.” Brithwin turned her head away from her father’s still form and looked into the empathetic eyes of a man who had suffered far greater than she at her father’s hand. She spoke the words anyway. “If anyone has a reason to be bitter, it is I. Isn’t a woman’s lot always bitterness?” “Nay, Brithwin, you must forgive, just as our Lord forgave. Remember what you have learned. Reach down in your soul and let this hate go. No good can come of it.” Dropping her gaze, she let his words pervade her thoughts. Could she forgive her father for the suffering dealt her at his hand, as Pater had done? It was the right thing to do. Uneasiness fluttered inside her, and memories poured down on her like a driving rain—her father’s cruel words, her head snapping back as his knuckles connected with her cheek, but worst of all, the darkness that surrounded her when he chose the dungeon as her punishment. She would not, could not, forgive him. It was too much to ask. Brithwin turned and walked to the doorway. She paused, knowing her words would not please her Lord. “We will bury him today. With no one to mourn his death, I see no reason to wait.” Hours later, dark, menacing clouds filled the sky, threatening to open up and pound rain into the open grave. A crash of thunder shook the ground and Brithwin flipped her hood over her head. The few people in attendance moved restlessly, glancing at the sky. She’d not required the servants’ presence at the burial, but some had come anyway out of loyalty to her. And she was here only out of obligation. A biting northern wind whistled through the trees. It seemed a fitting day to bury her father. The priest’s sermon droned on like a persistent bee. She shifted her feet to get the blood flowing through her legs, and a chill slid down her back. She drew her cloak closer as numbness swept over her mind and body. Today she was free of her father’s tyranny. She should feel joy. But closing her eyes, she only wished the day behind her. Pater’s cough broke through her thoughts. She lifted her gaze. The priest had said his final words and stood in attendance. The wind picked up, slicing through her garments. Brithwin turned to shield herself and made her way back to the castle. Before she reached the cover of her home, the rain began to fall along with an unexpected sadness as heavy as a millstone tied around her soul. Were these God’s tears for a man no one loved? *Keep reading: Download the prologue and first chapter of Sword of Forgiveness as a PDF here: SwordPrologueandFirstChapter

Give-away!

Debbie Lynne is generously giving one ebook or paperback copy of Sword of Forgiveness to a lucky winner! If the winner is outside the continental U.S., an ebook format will be given. To enter this drawing, simply leave a comment sharing why you think you'd enjoy Sword of Forgiveness. For extra points, share this post on Facebook and/or Twitter, and let me know you've done so! A winner will be selected at random and notified via email on March 25. The winner will have three days to respond to my email before I would need to select a runner-up. Thank you so much Debbie Lynne for sharing your time and talents with us!