Weekend Peek In #13

Welcome to Week 13 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. Only six weeks left until we find out who wins, but it's not too late to enter. Are you ready for this week's reader's question? I am!

What author/authors are your go-to when you are looking for something new to read?

Two of my favorite authors who work hard to bring new books to readers are Patti Lacy and Candace Calvert.

Imagine my excitement when I visited with these wonderful writers in person at the 2011 American Christian Fiction Writers conference.

Are you ready to be excited too? Both ladies are taking a short break from their busy writing schedules to pop in for a visit today--right here!

First, let's welcome Patti Lacy, a dear author friend who invited me to room with her at the ACFW conference and to dine with her and writer Britt Sanchez at a St. Louis cafe.

Patti, I adore you AND your talented, skillful writing. Please tell us about the driving force in your fiction.

Through my work, I try to fictionally depict Romans 8:28, God working for good in all things, even those that are dark, hidden, and scary. When brought to light by the love of Christ, all things can be made possible!

Thanks for letting me visit, Diana! It was great rooming with you in St. Louis!

Hanging out with you was one of the highlights of ACFW for me, Patti. You excel in depicting Romans 8:28 in your novels. That's one of many reasons I love your books so much. Thanks for dropping in today!

So what books has Patti written, and where does she get her unique story ideas?

Snippets of secrets, newspaper clippings, a teary, long-suppressed memory grab Patti Lacy's heart, then beg to be written. In An Irishwoman's Tale, Patti shared the story of a best friend, torn from her beloved Irish coast and dumped into a dysfunctional home in Lisle, Illinois.

What the Bayou Saw explores a blood oath made down by a Louisiana bayou on the day Kennedy was killed. A Chicago Tribune article about a mother's first...and last...cab ride with her baby compelled Patti to contact a Minnesota woman and pen her story in The Rhythm of Secrets, one of my favorite Patti Lacy books.

Patti's fourth book, Reclaiming Lily, explores the lives of two women from two cultures...and the child that divides them. Reclaiming Lily springboards off the memory of a brave Chinese doctor, determined to save her family. But from who...and what?

I recently finished reading Reclaiming Lily, and what a story of love, faith, and sacrifice it is! See a book trailer for this captivating novel, and learn more about Patti on her website here.

As Patti dashes off to write more novels, here comes another dear writer friend, Candace Calvert. She's the author of the page-turner Mercy Hospital series: Critical Care, Disaster Status, and Code Triage.

Candace, welcome to Weekend Peek In. I loved our visit at ACFW, and you know I'm a fan of your novels. Please tell us more about your writing.

Because I'm a former ER nurse, I like to think that my stories offer a "prescription for hope." And that readers who "scrub in" will find pulse-pounding action, charismatic characters, and warm romance. Think: Grey's Anatomy finds its soul!

Not only is action in your stories pulse-pounding, your handsome book covers are too. I'm so glad you dropped in today. I can't wait to read your next book--and to see its cover!

While Candace's book covers ARE terrific, the quality of her writing speaks for itself. In fact, Critical Care is a 2010 Carol Award finalist.

And Code Triage is currently on the ECPA BestSeller list with books written by the likes of Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, and Jerry B. Jenkins!

If you start reading Candace's Mercy Hospital series now, you'll finish in time for her new Grace Medical series to debut in May. The first book, Trauma Plan, is set in San Antonio. Get your heart set on reading this one:

"Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, nurse chaplain Riley Hale is determined to return to ER duties. But how can she show she’s competent when the hospital won’t let her attempt even simple tasks? Determined to prove herself, Riley volunteers at a controversial urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge.

Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he’s commander of the Alamo. He’ll fight the community’s efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale’s influential family name to make it happen.

As Riley strives to regain her skills, Jack finds that she shares his compassion—and stirs his lonely heart. Riley senses that beneath Jack’s rough exterior is a man she can believe in. But when clinic protests escalate and questions surface about his past, Jack goes into battle mode, and Riley wonders if it’s dangerous to trust him with her heart."

Who can wait for May after reading THAT book description? To keep up with Grace Medical series progress, "scrub in" with Candace on her website here.

Like my novel Delivery, Patti and Candace's books can be downloaded on your ereader. Print editions are also available.

You could begin compiling your digital library with these fine novels if you win my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. December 16, 2011, is coming soon. The winner could be YOU, so send your entry now!