Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Author CJ Darlington ~ Cover My Shift # 1

I'm SO excited to tell you that the wonderfully talented author CJ Darlington has offered to "cover my shift" today. Some of you already know her work, but for some this will be a new introduction. Let me tell you that her wonderfully drawn characters in Thicker than Blood and( soon to be released) Bound by Guilt captured my heart, and the fast-paced and emotional stories kept me turning the pages! Today CJ has a special message for you. But first, here's a brief biography of this amazing young woman:


C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats.

And now here's that special message from CJ just for you:


Even though we live on opposite coasts, Candace Calvert and I share a few things in life---like wonderful Tyndale House editors and the love of flavored coffee. But one thing we've recently discovered about each other is our mutual love of horses. I don't own a horse of my own (yet), but I've been privileged to know several who've touched my heart. I'm not exactly sure what it is about horses that attracts people, especially us gals, to them. Maybe it's that amazing combination of beauty and strength all rolled into one furry package. But there's something, and I'm glad God made them for us to enjoy.

One of the joys of being a novelist is the ability to include many of our interests in our novels, and Candace and I both got to put horses in our latest books! Finally all those hours of barn time are being put to good use, right Candace? Ha ha.

Have you ever thought about how horses forgive like God forgives? How many times will we make a mistake that upsets our horse only to turn around the next day and they're nickering for us at the gate? They live in the moment, as do all animals, and it's a great reminder of how we should too. After all, didn't Jesus say to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread? Don't worry about tomorrow for it has enough worries of its own?" Horses get that. They apply it to their lives. They don't care how much money we have, what we look like, or who we are in the world. It's what's in our hearts that counts.

So while Candace is pounding away at the keyboard to bring you her next soulful drama, may we take the time to give some extra attention to the animals in our lives and remember that God put them there to bring us great joy! (Of course, our cats are there to keep us humble.) Animals aren't our whole lives... but they make our lives whole.

Thanks for letting me scrub in here, Candace! Keep up the great work, my friend. We're all rooting for you!
=====

Very best,
C.J.

Oh, I SO agree about the animals . . . Thank you, CJ! Now here is an introduction to her upcoming release, Bound by Guilt:
Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?

And here's Thicker than Blood, her award-winning debut novel:


Winner of the 2008 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest

Christy Williams finally has her life on track. She’s putting her past behind her and working hard to build a career as an antiquarian book buyer. But things begin to unravel when a stolen Hemingway first edition is found in her possession, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, she yearns for her estranged, younger sister, May, who she abandoned in their childhood after their parents’ untimely deaths. Soon Christy’s fleeing from her shattered dreams, her ex-boyfriend, and God. May’s Triple Cross ranch could be the safe haven she’s searching for, but will the sisters realize that each possesses what the other desperately needs before it’s too late?

Trust me, both of these books are must-reads, and here's your chance to win a copy. Leave a comment below to be entered in the giveaway. I'll randomly draw two names on Monday, February 7th. One lucky person will receive my Advanced Reader Copy of Bound by Guilt. And the other winner will receive a signed copy of Thicker than Blood, courtesy of CJ.

Be sure that you leave an e-mail address so that I can contact you.
I'll post winning names here on Monday the 7th.

Best of luck to all of you. And thank you, CJ, for covering my shift!

19 comments:

Wendy said...

Thanks for the contest. They both look like good books.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Wilma said...

Thanks CJ & Candace.
If you haven't read CJ's first book please do so & then go to the new one. Both are really great reads.
So glad I have found both these awesome authors.
wilmamet6atgmaildotcom

Melinda Lancaster said...

I'm looking forward to CJ's new book release.
She's a great person & wonderful author...just like you, Candy!
Thanks for having this contest.
revlanc(at)gmail(dot)com

sherry3995 said...

Wow, who would know that there are so many talented Christian writers out there. I truly have stumbled on to a gold mine in reading. Thanks for the opportunity to "win" a book.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the contest. The books sound amazing. I am always looking for something to read besides textbooks.
redekopjoanne(at)gmail(dot)com

Beth - ;) said...

Thanks so much for the chance to win these books. I live in Canada so I hope I am eligible. I have read Candace's books and look forward to the new one. I also checked my library and Thicker than Blood is available so even if I do not win the contest, I can still borrow it from there.

Beth - ;)

Beth - ;) said...

I should have put my e-mail addy too I guess.

Beth - ;)
canadianxstitcher@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Well, I'll leave a post in hopes of winning a book, too! Now to go write one...

Blessings,
Voni
http://vonildawrites (at) livejournal (dot) com

Carol Moncado said...

Wow - both look good!

My 5yo is obsessed with horses. We don't have any but DH works at a ranch that has them. She gets to go for short rides sometimes.

carol at carolmoncado dot com

Anonymous said...

They both sound great! Thanks for the chance to win them! :)

Beth Gillihan
rbgillihan@q.com

Linda said...

My nephew has a horse and my niece is training her daughter to ride horses. She looks so stately on her horse. They are magnificent animals. My family joke is that I used to say that the first thing I get when I get married is a horse. 40 yrs have come and gone with no horse in sight! (That and a maid!!! No maid either!)

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Beth said...

Thanks so much CJ and Candance. I haven't read any of Cj's books but they look really good!! I am very excited for the opportunity to win one of her books!! mommiebethers@ameritech.net

Casey said...

CJ, your book has been on my TBR list for waaay too long! I just haven't gotten it from the library yet, so to win a copy here would be fun!

But seriously, glad you're here to cover Candace's "shift". I enjoyed what you said, so very true! I love to ride as well and just don't have a horse at the moment, but someday soon maybe God will provide one. :)

Have a good evening, Ladies!

caseymh18(@)Gmail.com

C.J. Darlington said...

Enjoying all your comments, everyone! It's an honor to be here.

Jan Marie said...

I was lucky enough to own a horse for several years in my younger days. There is nothing quite like that bond between the horse and its owner; the ability to communicate without words is amazing. I have long been a fan of Candace's writing but have yet to read C.J. Darlington. Would love to be the lucky winner of either of these books. Thanks for the opportunity.

janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

karenk said...

i love the premise for your contest candace....please include me in your first 'cover my shift.' would love to read either book by cj.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

CandaceCalvert said...

I'm loving your comments, friends--and the fact that some of you have had experience with horses. Readers of my Disaster Status and Code Triage, know how much I love them.
And, Linda, I didn't get my first horse until I was a few years short of 40. Anything is possible!
Looking forward to drawing two of your names for CJ's wonderful books.
Stay warm!

Phyllis R. said...

Thank you for filling the gap while we wait for your next book! My grown daughters and I just discovered you and enjoyed the Mercy Hospital series immensely! tpriikonen(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm thinking I better tart reading Leanna Elli's books to fill the time until your next series comes out. Thx for sharing your friend and fellow writer with us!

Blessings.

Becca
becca_sovine@yahoo.com