Cindy K. Green has worked as a middle school history & English teacher, a frozen yogurt server and a golf magazine employee. Today she's a multi-published, award-winning author, a mother, a wife, and a homeschooler too. This native Californian now resides in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and two cats named Chloe & Kassey. Visit her website www.cindykgreen.com & her blog cindykgreen.blogspot.com. She's on Facebook (Cindy K. Green) and Twitter (@cindykgreen) too. Email her at [email protected] Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bgISMz.
Here's your treat, dear readers: Cindy k. Green is offering a free read to EVERY person who comments, so be sure to include your email address.
Today we're spotlighting Cindy's latest book, Challenging Miss Valentine.
Cindy, could you tell us a little about this story?
Ella Valentine doubts she'll ever recover when her twin brother passes away in college. Four years later, living in a new city and working for a large corporation, she gets caught in a lie and saddled with a new boss who she suspects might be losing his mind. Now he has her enacting insane acts of espionage while trying to catch the culprit who has embezzled money from their company. If it wasn't for his deep brown eyes and lazy smile she just might quit. Is this God's plan for her life? She isn't even sure who she is anymore without her twin and the way things are going she just might end up in the loony bin.
Charles "Charlie" Murray II may be the heir presumptive to his father's industrial dynasty, but all he really wants is to create--be it drawings or a marketing campaign. When he's summoned to the home office to take over the position of CFO, he discovers his new assistant is the same woman who passed him a phony phone number in a diner the previous weekend. If he can figure out who's been stealing from the company, he just might attain the position of his dreams or will he sacrifice it all to be with Ella.
What was your inspiration for this story?
I started this story just for fun as a possible serial for my newsletter subscribers, but I had so much fun with it I decided it needed a whole novel to do it justice. It just started as a what if scenario and took off from there.
What is its take-away message?
Let God lead the way. Stop trying to be in control and let God lead.
Oh, that's a lesson I still need to learn.
Tell us a bit about your writing routine.
I have a very busy schedule. I have two boys home with me everyday and we homeschool. I have responsibilities tutoring other children as well and running book studies. When I get a chance to write, it is a respite from the craziness of life. Fall is when I get the most writing done. I am the most rejuvenated and inspired at this time of year. And I participate in NANOWRIMO in November. It makes me get the words out and a whole book finished in 30 days.
Wow!
What’s your next writing project?
I am preparing for NANO right now. It will be the third book in a western historical series called the Lawmen of the Comstock Lode. I’m still working out the plot but it concern a widow from Philadelphia moving to Nevada to be near her grown nieces (all the family she has left) and the US Marshal who she met and almost married 12 years ago. The plot will concern a child labor ring and an Indian school. I’m getting very excited to write this one.
Sounds intriguing. I look forward to reading it.
Here are a few more questions, just for fun:
1. Coffee or Tea? Tea definitely!
2. Snacks: Sweet or Salty? Sweet
3. Dream vacation The beach. Just quiet and the sound of the waves.
4. #1 on your Bucket List Visit Europe next year when my oldest son graduates from high school
And to whet your appetite for Challenging Miss Valentine, here's a short excerpt:
Taking a wobbly second step back, Ella’s heel slid on the slick tile flooring of the diner. Her feet flew out from under her, and she landed down on her backside in a matter of seconds. This couldn’t have been more embarrassing if she’d planned in every detail the best way to make a total fool of herself in front of a complete stranger. Then she connected with his amazing eyes as he looked down at her.
“Are you okay?” He offered her a hand up, but she could tell he held back a smile.
Great! He thought she was as much of a klutz as she did.
“I’m fine.” With his help, she came to her feet. Then she brushed off the back of her black dress pants.
“You are sure?” His voice was as dreamy as the rest of him—low and smooth with just a trace of teasing. “Maybe I should check your eyes for a concussion.” His dark eyes danced with his restrained laughter.
“Are you a doctor?” She played along.
“No, I just always see them do that on TV.” He grinned. “Here.” In his hand, he held a packet of sweetener. “You wanted some of these, right?” His gaze wasn’t mocking, as she’d thought earlier. It was more like curious and amused.
What a fun read. Thank you, Cindy K. Green, for guesting on Grace Notes today. And readers, don't forget to comment! Here's the purchase links for Challenging Miss Valentine:
http://www.amazon.com/Challenging-Miss-Valentine-Cindy-Green-ebook/dp/B01267604E/
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/562102
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/challenging-miss-valentine
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/challenging-miss-valentine-cindy-k-green/1122343696?ean=2940151144018#productInfoTabs