Ooops! We Goofed. (Thus, a Giveaway!)

ByDeborah Raney
88 Comments

UPDATE: THE WINNERS OF THE DRAWING ARE: KATHY EGER AND BRENDA MURPHREE. Congrats, ladies. If you will e-mail your snail mail addresses to me at debraney@mac.com, I’ll get your copies in the mail ASAP.

As you know, my husband and I are in the process of getting some of my older titles updated and back in print and e-book formats through our Raney Day Press. When I ordered a couple of copies of each of my Hanover Falls Novels series, I was so excited seeing the covers in print for the first time that I almost missed a “big” problem. Can you see what it is?



Yes, somehow, the middle book in the series got printed in a larger size than the first and last books! The problem is all fixed now, and anyone ordering the series will get three books all the same size. Meanwhile, I have two BIG copies of Forever After, Book 2 in the Hanover Falls series, to give away. I’ll tell you how to enter at the end, but first I’d like to tell you a bit about the writing of the Hanover Falls novels.

These books were first published by Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. My idea for the series came one morning when my husband, Ken—as he often does—laid a newspaper clipping on the table beside my breakfast plate. It was a story about a fire that had killed several firefighters and told how this community of firefighting families had pulled together to support one another after the tragedy. “It sounds like a Deborah Raney novel,” Ken said.

I read the news story and was moved. Immediately, this cast of characters began to form in my mind. I contacted my niece’s firefighter husband, who not only let me borrow his training manuals for the next couple of years but patiently answered my questions and gave me great insight into the firefighting “family.”

Wanting to change every detail from the real-life story, I decided to build my story around a fire in a homeless shelter. But I would need to do a ton of research since I’d never even been inside such a shelter. I don’t think it was a coincidence that shortly after, our small-town church got involved in a ministry to a local homeless shelter. I wanted to be upfront about my motives, so asked the volunteer coordinators if they would be opposed to me volunteering with the intent of researching for a novel. They smiled and said they just needed warm bodies to serve, and as long as my motives weren’t sinister, they’d be glad to have me.

My first night at the shelter turned out to be a researcher’s dream: a new fresh-out-of-jail admittance from the no-admit list, a mild altercation between a client and a volunteer (not me!), a bottle of vodka discovered hidden in a hallway and the subsequent (negative) Breathalyzer test on the suspect, a chance to pray with a man on suicide watch, and a phone that rang virtually the entire 5-11 shift.

Only after I arrived home did I glance at my calendar and realize I wasn’t supposed to show up for my shift until the following Sunday night! (Which I did, and NOTHING happened that night! Good for the shelter, but not so much for the researcher.) God knew when I needed to be there, and I couldn’t have asked for better research material. Still, it was sobering to come out of my little cozy-life cocoon, and as God always has done through my writing process, he grew me so much during those years I spent volunteering at the shelter.

These are the “posters” I put together for my inspiration board to remind me of my characters’ roles. I’m a very visual writer and it helps to have images always before me. (Nowadays, those images are usually on my computer desktop rather than on an actual bulletin board as these were.)

The books got written, I got stretched in sometimes painful yet wonderful ways, and now, almost a decade after the idea was conceived, these books are available again through Raney Day Press, with beautiful new covers designed by my husband.

These books do each stand alone, but they are also more intertwined than any other series I’ve written. So while you’ll get a complete story reading any one of them, you won’t get the whole story. This drawing is for the middle book, but I hope you’ll start with book 1, Almost Forever, and enjoy the entire series! (To order, simply click on the cover images above.)

To enter the drawing, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll choose two winners at random and announce them on this post tomorrow night.

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DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Forty books later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a four-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and served on the executive board of the 2,500-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization for 18 years before retiring in 2022. She is a recent transplant to Missouri, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, e-biking, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard.

88 Comments

  1. Your books sound interesting. If the are paperback or hard copies, I would like to enter the giveaway for them.

  3. Altho I did read all 3 I discovered them in my local public library. Books on tape. As I sew Angel gowns this month I have loved hearing the stories aga7n! Would love to win a copy. Heading to Ell sword in 3 weeks for Cow town days!

  9. I would live to win an “odd sized” copy of Forever After, Book 2 of the Hanover Falls series. I recently read one of your ilder titles, Benearh a Southern Sky & really enjoyed it. Keep on writing! Thank you.

  11. How nice to be able to revive such a memorable series. I would love to catch up on reading them.

  12. I’m putting this series on my TBR list. It sounds intriguing.
    I always enjoy reading about how authors come up with ideas for stories!

  13. This series sounds so interesting. I have a nephew who is a firefighter, a big teddy bear of a guy, but he rarely talks about his job. He is trained in hazardous fire conditions so is often called to teach new recruits. I’d love to read this book. Thanks.

  14. Your books are so enjoyable and the covers are so appealing. I would love to be one of your winners. Thank you good the opportunity.

  15. I love how God orechestrates our lives. How specific was He in knowing what you would need ahead of time and allowing you fulfill both your own personal needs while also being in ministry. Hoping to get to read this series.

  16. these sound like interesting books. cool how you came up with the idea for them. I find it fascinating how authors come up with their stories. just like how quilters come up with their ideas for quilts.

  17. Your background story about how you initiated this series is fascinating. Not having read any of the three, I’d love to win one in order to begin reading the series. Thanks for the opportunity.

  18. Love the new covers! Thank you for sharing your story about the books.

  19. What a great experience at the homeless shelter! So glad you are able to do whatever it takes to write a great story!!

  20. I really enjoy learning about the process authors go through as they research and write their books. I have never read one of your books but I would love to start.

  21. I love when older books are given new life! Thanks for the giveaway.

  24. I read the first two books years ago, but I don’t think I ever got to read the last book. The covers look great!

  25. I enjoy your books and stories about firefighters so I would really like to win this. Thanks for the chance.

  26. I love your storyboards and the way you volunteered for research! Thanks for the chance to win a bigger copy!

  28. I guess I don’t have the best eye because I didn’t notice the mistake! But the series sounds wonderful! Love that hubby clipped the article for your inspiration! What a frat team you make!

  30. I loved your experience at the homeless shelter. Lots of good material there. It reminded me of when I worked at a woman’s shelter.

  36. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books! Good luck to everyone!
    Blessings~

    (aka RobbyeFaye, aka Robbye)
    robbyefaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  37. Really enjoyed learning about your inspiration for the series. Would love to read the book.

  38. You are a new to me author. Thank you for the opportunity to be in the draw! 🙂

  39. Reading Above All right now, loved The Scarlet Cord, and would love to read this book as well…..

  41. Interesting…I am also volunteering…ok in training to help people get to the next place in their lives. Homelessness, recovering addicts and out of prison are the people I may encounter. Our church is working with different agencies in the area to help or place (jobs, or homes…) these people. Doing it with compassion and showing the love of Christ at the same time. Meeting them where they are without judgment! I think I am going to love this new opportunity! OH and I would love to read and review Forever After. 😉

  43. I love all of your books that I have read, but I haven’t read these! I will gladly take one off of your hands!

  44. I guess it’s a good thing you caught that mistake before you received your entire order. It doesn’t matter to me, though, if they’re different sizes.

  46. I loved your story of showing up on the wrong day. It sounds like it was the perfect day to be there. I would love the chance to read this book. Thanks.

  48. These books sound wonderful and I admire the effort you put into researching the subject matter. You said that you grew and I imagine that you helped many people. As for boo-boos, they are so much a part of my life that I wouldn’t know what to do with perfect 🙂 However, your new covers look pretty perfect to me!

  52. Isn’t it just like God to make sure we are in the right place at the right time?? Sorry you made a mistake but glad I get a chance at winning a copy. This looks like a must read series.

  53. This “read’ this series in audiobooks a few years ago and that was how I first discovered your books. I would love to read the actual book in print. On a side note, have you thought about writing more of this series? Such a great series!

  54. Your series looks wonderful. I’ll have to put it on my wish list. I’d love to win a copy of your book.

  55. Deb, your books are the kind I can read over and over, and over again! They are truly an inspiration to me! Love ya!

  56. I’ve read this series, but would love to own it! A fantastic set of books and stories!

  57. I won’t reply to each comment since this is a giveaway, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your comments and so appreciate all the encouraging words! I can’t wait to name a winner tomorrow night!

  58. Interesting to read your backstory and to see how God was at work. May these books touch many.

  59. Loved reading these behind the scenes stories for your books. I would love to win/read one of these but, especially the “shelter” one. Our church just had a luncheon/ shower for a home for homeless or displaced pregnant women. They need volunteers, and I am considering it. Jackie

  62. Growing up, our church served at a homeless mission in downtown Ft.Worth. It was always interesting and heartbreaking to see the lives of the different folks. There were many helped through that mission. Reminds you of Gods grace for sure.

  65. I LOVED the Chickory Inn novels! I look forward to reading more of your books!

  66. The posters are pretty interesting for your inspiration board. As a visual person that would a great aid. Sounds like a great series. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  68. I love your books and have read most of them. Somehow I missed these. Thank you for a chance to enter your contest. I discovered your books about 3 years ago & love them. Keep letting God use you in these books. I also left reviews on all the books that I’ve read. All 5 stars.

  70. Books are books to me. A door to enter and explore new places and experiences and how it looks doesn’t matter. As long as it’s readable that is. Thanks!

  75. I Hope I’m not too late? I’d love to be entered they sound great Size doesn’t matter to me 😉

  77. I hope that I am not too late for this drawing. I think I have read one of your books before and this one that you are offering in your drawing sounds like a wonderful read.
    my email address is: cr8ted4him@frontier.com. I would love to hear from whether or NOT I win.

  78. Hello Deborah. So sorry they messed up your books, but would be happy to be one of your winners. Sounds like a good series. GOD bless you. Maxie

  82. Your books sound fascinating, and what a neat backstory! I would love to win one; thanks for the giveaway!

  83. I am always amazed by “coincidences.” It seems so random but it isn’t…
    I think God or whatever spiritual entity you believe in works in ways we are too small to understand. I’d love to read the series, thanks!

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