Never Say Never! You Might Win these Giveaways! UPDATED!

UPDATE: Thursday, 2/12

I had such a crazy day yesterday that I completely forgot to draw a winner of the book!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
12
Timestamp: 2010-02-12 14:23:18 UTC
Congrats to Merry! Email me your address and I'll send the book your way.

There's still time to comment for a chance to be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing. Just leave a comment by Feb 19!

* * * * *
Paperback: 352 pgs
Publisher: Bethany House Release Date: Feb. 1, 2010
ISBN-10: 0764204920
ISBN-13: 978-0764204920
Retail: $12.95

Hurricane season was mild last year, but there's a hurricane a-brewin' in this fun Texas novel. Come sit a spell and take a peek into the lives of Kai Miller, Donetta Bradford and the other folks in Daily, Texas. This novel depicts the "adventures" of hurricane evacuation and housing the evacuees, the meshing of disparate cultures and generations, the lure of young love, and the heartache of a marriage that seems to be drowning. Written in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Kai and Donetta, you will enjoy the peek into the hearts and minds of the characters. The wind isn't the only thing swirling in this novel! I loved the portrayal of the various citizens of Daily. When the storm is over, not a few lives have been permanently altered. Grab a copy and enjoy this heartwarming story!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

ENJOY THIS PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES WITH AUTHOR LISA WINGATE!

1. How did you develop the initial story idea/plot line for this book?

Some book ideas you search for, and some just blow in on the wind. For the past several years, dating back to Hurricane Katrina, we in Central Texas have been the recipients of massive hurricane evacuations. These massive exoduses of people, pets, and belongings are frightening, frustrating, challenging, and at times oddly wonderful. When so many are on the road seeking shelter, the worst, but also the best qualities of humanity come to the surface. Hurricane evacuations truly provide times when we ask the question, "Am I my brother’s keeper?" In answering that question, we’ve enjoyed amazing moments of friendship and fellowship, family reunions, and chances to share a food and space with strangers from other parts of the country. We’ve traded stories and recipies, laughter and tears.

One thing we’ve learned about hurricanes, living here, is that the paths are never predictable. Storms waver, hesitate, speed up, slow down, and sometimes change course unexpectedly. Evacuations needs can change and develop quickly. What better way for the beauty shop girls to find their inner strength and to show Daily hospitality, than for their cruise plans to land them smack in the middle of a sudden and chaotic hurricane evacuation?

2. Almost every author puts a little of themselves into their stories—what did you put of yourself into this one? (personality traits, life events/jobs, settings, characters based on people you know, likes/dislikes, etc.)

There’s a bit of me in the setting, of course. I love Texas, in all its variety of cultures and landscapes, but, living in a small town, I have a particular affection for little bergs like Daily, where the coffee’s always hot, and a good slide of pecan pie can cure most ills. Having watched our little town mobilize to take in hurricane evacuees several times now, I’ve been reminded that sometimes the worst things that can happen bring out the best in people. Given the opportunity and faced with the need, regular people can rise to the occasion in amazing ways, as do the citizens of Daily in the book.

Some members of the Wingate family might also claim to recognize themselves among the citizens of Daily, Texas. I would offer the disclaimer that any resemblances are completely unintentional, but that would be a bald-faced lie. When you come from a family of great storytellers and colorful characters, there’s nothing to do but make use of what you’ve got.

3. Did you encounter any interesting challenges while writing/researching for this book? Please explain if so.

The most difficult part of working on Never Say Never was researching and reliving the devastation left behind on the Texas gulf coast last year after Hurricane Ike. While interviewing family members about their experiences during the evacuation and return, we shared laughter and quite a few tears. For those who have lived in southeast Texas all their lives, talking about familiar landmarks, heirlooms, and old family places that were washed away forever, knowing some things will never be the same, is both difficult and devastating. For those of us who have so many memories of family gatherings and vacations there, it’s hard to believe we’ll never visit the old places again.

4. Why is this book/story relevant today?

Despite our best-laid plans, we all experience storms in life—whether those storms be of a weather-related nature, or due to an illness, death, or in recent months, job loss and financial misfortune. When the parameters of life and our ability to control fate suddenly change, we’re confronted with our own helplessness and need to rely on other people and God. In a culture that values independence and self-sufficiency, it’s important to remember that we all have a common need and a common responsibility for each other and that without faith we really are alone in the storm.

(The above interview was provided by the publicist for this blog tour.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Drenched in Light, A Thousand Voices, and A Month of Summer. Her work was recently honored by the Americans for More Civility for promoting greater kindness and civility in American life. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.



GIVEAWAYS!
I have an additional copy of this book to give to one of you! Just leave a comment on this post by Thursday (2/11) at 6:00 pm CST and I will draw a winner. US residents only, please!

Everything's bigger in Texas, so look what the publisher is giving away for a Grand Prize!

GRAND PRIZE BASKET:

Donetta and Imagene's Texas Road Trip Basket (approximate total value over $150)

Take a Texas road trip, without ever leaving home!

Featuring:

The Daily Texas Series by Lisa Wingate:

Talk Of the Town

Word Gets Around

Never Say Never

The Blue Sky Hills Series by Lisa Wingate:

A Month of Summer

The Summer Kitchen

Beyond Summer (a special advance copy not available in stores until July 2010)

Road Trip Snacks (Straight from Texas, of course!)

Wrap it all up with a fuzzy, fleecy Texas throw blanket for those cold nights on the road (or curled up with your books!)
To qualify, leave a comment on this post no later than February 18. I will draw one name, and that name will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing hosted by the publicist.


Many thanks to Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for providing two copies for review and giveaway.