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

Hi Jessica, yep, that

Hi Jessica, yep, that historical context is so helpful in understanding the character. And I, too, prefer heroes and heroines who aren't perfect. :)

I love reading to escape,

I love reading to escape, especially historical novels. Historical novels are also great because I love learning about different places and time periods. What really draws me in is a great description of what's going on, how the character's senses are affected and how they are feeling. I have several characters I think of as friends. Lol Looking forward to reading these books, whether I win or not! I live in Kentucky so a book set in "Kentucke" will be interesting. I've also read a few books set in Louisiana and I've enjoyed them. :)

Oh Holly, you will just love

Oh Holly, you will just love this new book from Laura Frantz, especially since you live in Kentucky! What a gorgeous state. Thanks for being here today!

I think..... a good beginning

I think..... a good beginning to draw one instantly into the place and characters and then detailed description of location but not so excessive to become bogged down in too much specificity.

Cathy, yes, enough of a

Cathy, yes, enough of a description to paint the picture, but not so much to slow the action, right? And those beginnings are oh-so-critical too! Thanks for being here!

I love it when there are

I love it when there are enough details to get my vision going & yet, enough left out so that I want to keep reading to see what is going to happen.

Kim, yes, perfect! That's

Kim, yes, perfect! That's exactly it. Thank you for entering the drawing!

From the beginning, I get

From the beginning, I get involved. By the end of the first chapter I am there with the characters and in the story. It's about the beginning... The covers on both books are captivating, so from the very front of the book I'm already in. I know these will be sweet reads, can't wait!

Karen, I love that you "get

Karen, I love that you "get involved." :) We hope these books really are experiences for you to partake in! Thanks for being here!

Both books sound great! I

Both books sound great! I would love to win them!

Thank you so much Martha!

Descriptions! Sights, sounds

Descriptions! Sights, sounds, tastes, feelings - those are the things that keep me interested in a book. Also, realistic dialogue.

I love that too, Jacki! Thank

I love that too, Jacki! Thank you for being here!

I love detailed settings

I love detailed settings where I feel as though I've stepped into the story and authentic conversation that pulls me into the lives of the characters. I read my first book by you, Jocelyn, through a recommendation on Laura's Facebook. I enjoy you both and the time period is my all time favorite. I already have your release day on my calendar.

Hi Mary, I owe Laura a huge

Hi Mary, I owe Laura a huge thanks, then, for recommending my books to you! How kind that you already have the release date on your calendar. Thank you!

I feel like I am right there

I feel like I am right there with the characters if their dialogue is so clearly articulated that I can almost hear it spoken in my mind. Rich detail about setting always helps, too, (as long as it isn't redundant). I am so excited for the release of your new book, Jocelyn! This is a period of history that I don't know very much about.

Hello Joelle! I always love

Hello Joelle! I always love to see your name pop up! :) Thanks for being excited about The Mark of the King! I didn't know anything about this slice of our history either before I started researching it. It was definitely a learning curve for me! But totally worth it.

I think realistic dialogue

I think realistic dialogue helps me to feel like I am right there in the moment.

Hi Cheryl, you may have

Hi Cheryl, you may have noticed, many others have said the same thing! Dialogue is so great for drawing readers in.Thank you for being here!

I have read other books by

I have read other books by Laura Frantz and really enjoyed them. I don't think I have read anything by Jocelyn Green yet. Thanks for giving me the chance to win these two new books.

Hi Carol! I love Laura's

Hi Carol! I love Laura's books, too, and A Moonbow Night is lush! I was privileged to read an early copy and endorse it. :) I'd be honored to have you read one or more of my books some day--thank you for being here!

I love to read a book that is

I love to read a book that is set somewhere I have never been. Describing the scenery and feelings felt at that location help me feel like I am there.

Kristina, I love traveling

Kristina, I love traveling through fiction, too! It's such a magic carpet for me, whisking me away to lands unseen... my world is much bigger because of books. Thanks for being here!

I'm sure extensive research

I'm sure extensive research by the author plays a big part in making me feel I'm "right there" with the characters - I love lots of detail and display of emotions in the books I read and feel the more an author pours of herself into her writing (and guidance from God), the more realistic her work. Even more so when basing it on personal experience!!

I'm sure you're right, Bonnie

I'm sure you're right, Bonnie, that research plays a big part in painting the pictures that draw us in. I'm glad to hear you love lots of detail and emotion--so do I! Thanks for being here!

I just love to read a book

I just love to read a book where I feel like I'm a fly on the wall, where I can see ,hear ,everything that's going on .I feel all sort of emotions when I'm reading. I sometimes time travel .Thanks for the giveaway of such wonderful books.

Elma, I feel exactly the same

Elma, I feel exactly the same way! We get to know the characters much better than we get to know most people, since we are "in on" everything that happens to them and how they react. No wonder we form such attachment to them. :) Thank you for being here!

I love reading stories that

I love reading stories that takes place in Lousiana.

Ooh, Sonnetta, you can

Ooh, Sonnetta, you can imagine how delighted I am to hear that! The Mark of the King is my first book set in Louisiana--I hope you love it!

Dialogue and vivid

Dialogue and vivid explanations help me know the characters. I also love knowing what/how/why a character behaves.

Hi Kathryn, yes indeed, a

Hi Kathryn, yes indeed, a story would fall far short without those things! Thank you for being here!

What draws me into a story

What draws me into a story the most is the detail--not just of the surroundings but also the people and their connection to the scene.

Hi Wendy, those little

Hi Wendy, those little details can really make a huge difference, that's for sure! Thank you for entering the drawing!

Descriptive conversations and

Descriptive conversations and characters that you feel connected too, help me to be enveloped into the characters world.

Hi Sarah, I love that

Hi Sarah, I love that expression--to be enveloped into the characters world. That is certainly the author's goal! Thank you for being here!

I love the history of the

I love the history of the books. Jocelyn Green books are so wonderful they quicKly became my favorites

Hi Amy! Thank you for being

Hi Amy! Thank you for being such a faithful and enthusiastic reader! Love seeing your name pop up! Thanks for being here!

The story needs to be

The story needs to be realistic with characters that have real life problems - for example, when eyes are described as purple or the hero is the most amazingly handsome man ever to walk the earth or the heroine has multiple men all desiring her, I find it difficult to be drawn in.

You and me both, Arletta! ;)

You and me both, Arletta! ;) The more realistic, the better, in my book--I even love awkward moments and lulls in conversation. None of our conversations are ever as smooth or self-contained as we might want them to be. Thanks for chiming in and entering the drawing!

Thank you for the opportunity

Thank you for the opportunity. I haven't read any of your books yet, but I've read most of Laura Frantz's. :)

Hello Brianna, well I must

Hello Brianna, well I must say you have excellent taste if you've already read most of Laura Frantz's books! I hope you get a chance to read one of mine, but either way, thank you for being here! Good luck in the drawing.

Francine Rivers' Mark of the

Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series has always made me feel like visiting friends and walking with then through their trials.

Leilah, that is one of my

Leilah, that is one of my very favorite series, right up there with Brock and Bodie Thoene's Zion Covenant series. Love those books!

When authors thoroughly

When authors thoroughly research a time period and/or location, it comes across in the book and makes it real for the reader! You and Laura both do an outstanding job at this! Thanks for the giveaway!

Thank you so much, Cyndi!

Thank you so much, Cyndi! Laura and I both love the research aspect of writing historicals!

I love a book with a good

I love a book with a good plot in which the characters get really invoked in the story.The adventure keeps me turning the pages until I am done with the book and then sometimes it leaves me wanting more.. Both of the descriptions of each novel sounds like something to sink your teeth into even though they are very different story lines.Twists and turn you are not expecting just adds to the fllavor.

Hi Rory Lynn, I've definitely

Hi Rory Lynn, I've definitely read books that have made me sad to see them end. Book withdrawal! :) Yes, both The Mark of the King and A Moonbow Night are certainly "sink-your-teeth-into-it" books. Happy reading to you, whenever that may be!

Love your question, Jocelyn -

Love your question, Jocelyn - & all these insightful comments! It's really an honor to be here & share a much sweeter than normal release day because of you! To make me feel right there I need to respect & like the main character & identify with her or him on some level. The setting is also paramount & can become, if skillfully handled, a character all its own. So appreciate everyone here!

I agree, Laura! Release day

I agree, Laura! Release day is way more fun this time around. :) I love your comment about setting being a character of its own. So true, and I think A Moonbow Night is one of your best in this regard! Congratulations on another stunning novel.

You and Laura (and several

You and Laura (and several other favorite authors) draw me into a story by crafting characters whose identities are so established, I feel like they MUST be real people. I can identify with them on some level, because you relate their personalities through their thoughts, dialogue, and interaction with other characters in a way which makes me feel like I know them intimately and they are people worth knowing. You also describe the settings in such vivid detail without sounding contrived.

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Double Give-Away with Laura Frantz!

Bonus: Free Gift within Moments!

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