Lena has graciously offered a copy of her latest release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico to one lucky reader, so leave your comments below with a way I can reach you!

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About Lena

Lena Nelson Dooley, president of DFW Ready Writers—the local chapter of ACFW, is a multi-published, award-winning author who loves to mentor other authors. With her 25th book release, she has close to 650,000 books in print. Her next release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, will be on sale May 1, 2010. Look for it bookstores everywhere.

Lena has spoken at conferences and writers’ meetings in four states. She also speaks at women’s retreats and event of all kinds. She lives in Hurst, Texas with her husband of over 45 years.

Lena’s door and heart are always open to those God places in her path. She seriously considers her ministry as a mentor, prayer warrior, even a champion of the downtrodden, her life’s work.

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About Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

All that glitters is not gold.

It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden…and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.

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What’s your latest book?

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press, releases May 1, 2010.

Ah, I love the Love Finds You books! What’s your favorite part of the story?

I loved watching the romance develop, but I also love the character of Philip Smith and how he interacted with everyone else.

Nothing beats a fabulous character! What was the hardest part to write?

Because I had to do a lot of research about it, preparing for and completing the train trip from Boston to Golden was the hardest.

Logistical stuff. Fun. 😉 What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?

I want them to understand that we don’t forgive someone only when we feel like it. God’s forgiveness is unconditional, and ours must be, too.

So true! Is there a theme to this book?

God’s plans for us are often far different from our own plans, but they’re so much better.

I keep telling myself that, but blockheaded me often forgets, LOL. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?

I actually like to write both contemporary and historical novels, but I’ve sold more historical books to publishers.

And my reading is eclectic. I don’t like to read just one genre. I don’t want to read horror or war novels that contain mostly the fighting. I love historical and contemporary romances, romantic suspense, suspense, mysteries, even many sci-fi/fantasy or futuristic novels.

A woman with many of the same interests as me! What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?

I just finished Rooms by James Rubart and started Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J Mark Bertrand, both very good books.

I have a large number of books on my shelves that I wan to read, so I’ll just pick one that strikes my fancy when I finish this one.

What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?

That editors aren’t people to fear. They’re our friends, and they need us just as much as we need them.

Are there any people (family, writing group, editors) who you rely on when writing?

I have hosted a critique group in my home for over 25 years. God has brought people into that group who have differing giftings. We all help each other.

Oh, it would be so cool if my critters could meet regularly! We’re a long distance group. If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)

I would buy one of those electric stovetops that has a smooth surface with the heating elements below, and I’d get a new door to the patio.

Very practical. If you have some leftover, I could use a new door to my porch, too. 😉 Any funny family stories about living with a writer?

One night at dinner, a thought came to me. I told James what a certain person was going to do. He asked who that was. When I told him it was a character in the novel I was writing, he said, “Writers really are weird.” (However, he loves and supports me in my writing. He just didn’t understand having a conversation about a character.)

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Thanks for visiting, Lena! Readers, you will not want to miss Lena’s blog–she interviews authors daily and always has a slew of fun giveaways from those authors.

You can purchase Golden, New Mexico at Amazon, ChristianBook, and CrossPurposes.

Void where prohibited. Contest ends 5/6/10. Winner will have two weeks to claim book before another winner is selected.