Thursday, June 04, 2009

SNOW MELTS IN SPRING - Deborah Vogts - Free Book

I've really been looking forward to this interview with debut author Deborah Vogts. I've known her a long time and rejoiced with her when she signed her first contract. Deborah, tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Actually, I think it’s the people around me who are written into my characters more than myself, or at least pieces of them—like a jigsaw puzzle.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I’m not a very quirky person . . . um, I like to put catsup on my eggs. Not sure if that’s quirky or not, but it’s all I can think of. LOL.
I love catsup on fried egg sandwiches, but then I know I'm quirky. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I began writing my first Great American Novel when I was a sophomore in High School on an old electronic typewriter. From that moment on, I was hooked.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy historical Christian romance, and contemporary novels with a literary twist. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger comes to mind.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I am a stay-at-home mom with two girls at home (ages 12 & 17), so I’m fully aware of what a busy life is. However, we say no to a LOT of things—such as sports, or extracurricular activities (not a popular answer in today’s world, and it is frowned on a great deal, but it’s how we manage our household and keep our sanity.)
When my daughters were late elementary and junior high age, we did something similar. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes I have a name already in mind, but I’ve also used a baby naming book. I’ll thumb through it until I find the perfect name for each character, keeping in mind specific aspects already determined.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I cringe at the "P" word, but I am most thankful to have raised three lovely daughters and married a God-fearing Christian man, and these are not my accomplishments, but things God has allowed and blessed me with.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Wow, I’ve lived on a farm (or in the country) all my life and most of those animals end up on a plate somewhere. Not a good place to be unless you’re human—so I guess I’ll leave it at that. :-)

What is your favorite food?

Now THAT I can answer. I actually have three favorites—grilled Kansas City Strip steak, pizza and boiled shrimp. Chocolate is NOT a food—it’s more like a dietary supplement that you eat on a have-to basis.
Yes, my husband read yesterday that dark chocolate helps lower cholesterol. Another reason to take a dose or two a day. Tell us a little about your journey to publication.

As stated earlier, my love for writing began back in High School, but the real journey began in 2002 when I joined ACFW (then ACRW). I joined a critique group, attended conferences and began honing my craft and learning about the publishing business. In 2006, I acquired my first agent, who tried selling a contemporary series for me. This proved unsuccessful, and then I landed a second agent, Rachelle Gardner at WordServe Literary, who managed to sell the series to Zondervan, which brings me to where I am today. :-)

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I think the devil throws roadblocks at us from all angles, depending on where we are in our life. For me, I’ve had to deal with time management and trusting that God has given me a talent he wants me to use. I’ve been able to overcome these arrows by staying in God’s word (throwing it at the devil at times) and getting down on my knees in prayer.

What advice would you give to others who are trying to get their first book published?

Never give up. Right before I landed my second agent, I almost gave up on my dreams, and I am so thankful I didn’t. Not that God would have let me. I searched and asked that he give me scripture answers that would lead me in the right direction. Some of those he gave were: Isaiah 41:13, Deuteronomy 31:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, and my favorite one that ministered to me and still does today, "Be Still and Know that I am God."

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Snow Melts in Spring is a heart-warming contemporary romance set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where a female country veterinarian is called on to heal an injured horse but winds up nurturing the wounded relationship between a prodigal son and his ailing father, and is forced to choose between the man of her dreams or the land of her heart. Spanning the Seasons of the Tallgrass, each story in this series reveals the struggle of the people who live there and the dreams they have for the land until they come full-circle in a never-ending cycle, just as man comes full-circle in his understanding of God.

When an aged horse is severely injured on a gravel road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, country veterinarian Mattie Evans accepts the challenge to save him. But she finds herself in the middle of a longstanding feud between the horse’s owner, pro quarterback Gil McCray, and his ailing father—who is also her dear friend.
 
As the snow melts in spring, Gil’s return to his estranged father’s ranch brings a chance for new beginnings and reconciliation, but when he falls in love with Mattie, he must face the truths that haunt him or run from his past. Meanwhile, Mattie encourages Gil to return permanently to Kansas rather than retire in California. Their love collides when Mattie’s sister arrives on Gil’s doorstep, causing Gil to come to terms with the jealous acts leading up to his brother’s death and seek forgiveness from those he loves most. Can he accept God’s forgiveness, and will that be enough to make him stop running from his memories of home? In turn, if Mattie forgives, she’ll be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the land she dearly loves.
 
Thanks for this opportunity to share with you and your readers. :-)
Thank you, Deborah, for sharing with us today.
Readers, here's a link where you can order Snow Melts in Spring:
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. The only notification will be the winner announcement on this blog. So dont' froget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you've won.
If you're reading this in Feedblitz, Facebook, or on Amazon, please come to the blog to leave a comment. Here's the link:

31 comments:

Jo said...

Great interview. Please enter me in drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Lisa Harris said...

I remember reading Mattie's story when you first began writing it and can't wait to see it in print! I'm so excited for you!

Deborah Vogts said...

Thanks for sharing in this moment with me, Lisa & Jo! Many blessings to you!

Merry said...

Snow Melts in Spring sounds like a really interesting story. Please include me, thanks.

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Melissa Jagears said...

Can't wait to read it!

Sheila Deeth said...

Loved the interview and your answers to the questions.

Unknown said...

I really like reading the interview and I am the same as you as the range of books you read. I can't wait to read your book.

Val
lastnerve2000@gmail.com

Linda said...

I would love to be entered into your contest. Sounds like another great book.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

Hi Deborah,

I'm so glad you debut book has been released! I first saw it in the Christian Book Distributors 2009 Summer Fiction catalog ~ it sounds like a great read. I can't wait to hear more about the rest of the books in the series!

Thank you for a great interview,
Lori

sugarandgrits[at]hotmail[dot]com

Deborah Vogts said...

Hi again,
Yes, Lori, it was so much fun to see my book in the summer catalog. I think that has been one of my long-held dreams--to see one of my books there. It was quite the thrill!

apple blossom said...

Sounds like a really good book. As a kid we wouldn't eat scrambled eggs without putting ketchup on them. However, now as an adult I'll eat them plain. I do like it on my fired egg sandwich. And I make an egg burrito we put ketchup on it too. So I don't think your the only one to use ketchup on eggs. thanks for the interview. Love to win your book.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Roanna said...

You are not the only one who likes ketchup on their eggs, because I do, too. Your book sounds interesting. I would like to be entered in this giveaway. Thanks!

Emma said...

Hi Deborah Great interview.Snow Melts in Spring sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me in drawing. Thank you.

Sherry Kuhn said...

I really enjoyed the interview and would love to win this book. I live in Kansas so it will be close to my heart!

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Rachel Rossano said...

It looks like a great book. I know some girls who would be very interested in it. I am going to recommend they check it out.

As a writer and a stay-at-home mother of a 1.5 year-old, I hope I am some day standing in your shoes. Keep up the great work and congrats on the contract.

Deborah Vogts said...

Thanks everyone. Your posts brighten my day!

Unknown said...

Wonderful interview! I can't wait to read the book. Please enter me in the drawing.
debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

Hannah Gommesen said...

I am definitely interested.

hannah(dot)gommesen(at)yahoo(dot)com

Marla said...

Sounds good. Please enter me in the drawying. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Mimi N said...

So glad there are a lot of people interested in Deborah's book like I am. Please enter me to win! Blessings,
Mimi B

mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Carlene said...

what a great interview. The books sounds so good. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

kalea_kane said...

Deborah, I am so glad you didn't give up. You keep nailing Satan with God' Word! :)

Carole said...

I've followed Deborah's blog as this book was being published and would love to win a copy. The cover really draws me to it; great job on the artwork.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Anonymous said...

Wonderful interview....I can't wait to read the book. Please enter me in drawing.

Martha A. said...

Is Salsa on eggs more quirky than ketchup on eggs? = )

Please enter me!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Deborah Vogts said...

Oh Martha, I like salsa on eggs too! LOL. Yum. There are so many ways to fix an egg, and I love all of them but eating them raw. Not going to happen!

Thank you all for your continued comments! I'm enjoying your posts!

Carolynn said...

I love the cover of this book, it sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!

Wendy said...

This sounds like a good book.
Wendy

ladybug said...

I'm very interested in reading this book. Would love to win it!

adge said...

That's funny about the chocolate and I think most people tend to agree. Please enter me for the contest, thanks.

peachykath said...

Please enter me in the drawing. I have read a few other Deborah Vogts books and none of them have dissapointed me. This books sounds just as good.
Thanks
Katherine

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com