Sunday, March 21, 2010

THE NARROW PATH - Gail Sattler - Free Book

I love having my friend Gail Sattler on the blog, and we're introducing her first long novel. Welcome, Gail, I love your photo. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?


I’m not really sure. I’m moving toward opening myself up more for engagements as a motivational speaker, so I’d like to see if that’s a door that God is going to open for me.

Tell us a little about your family.

My family life is not the average “Leave it to Beaver” family. My husband works between home and his office, he owns and operates a web design company, and that’s always a challenge, and never a 9-to-5 job. My sons are getting older and moving into young adulthood, and it leaves me with mixed feelings to watch them drive away in their own cars. What happened to the days of walking them to school and always knowing where they were?

That's a real adjustment, for sure. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Yes, most definitely. I’m much more picky with reading where I consider an established author has become sloppy with the guidelines I try to use to keep raising the bar in my own writing. I also am much more pressed for time than I used to be. Once I started a book, I would finish it. Now, if it doesn’t hook me or if the writing is too flawed, I’ll not finish it. I don’t know if writing has spoiled me as a reader, or if it’s made my reading more enjoyable, because I’ll only read the good stuff. :-)

What are you working on right now?

Believe it or not, I’m co-writing a supernatural thriller with my husband. Angels and demons and all that stuff, with the final scene to be a battle of the supernatural powers at the gateway of a portal to Hell. Curious? Haha.

Sounds as if I would like reading it. What outside interests do you have?

Of course I’m a dog lover, I have 2 dogs, but I the biggest interest I have is music. I play electric jazz bass for a local jazz band, and this past fall I bought myself a double bass and joined my local concert band. I’m still playing bass for the worship team at my church. I don’t have time to play much piano anymore. One day, it is my dream to learn to play the violin.

A lofty goal. How do you choose your settings for each book?

Clinically. I first think of a plotline and my major characters, then I pick the setting that would work best for the plot. Sometimes it’s a place I’ve been, sometimes it’s not. But if it’s not, I find someone who lives there or who has lived there before I start writing about it.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Edgar Allan Poe. That man knew how to wrap up all the details together for the final scene.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Outlining.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Perseverance and not letting distraction get the best of me.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Read with a critical eye, pay attention to the “guidelines”, and never stop striving to learn more about the craft. I don’t think I need to elaborate on any of those things.

Tell us about the featured book?

The Narrow Path is about two Mennonite people. The heroine is from a big city and lives a busy and active modern life. She enjoys a fast pace and loves the technology. The hero is from a small town and lives in a sheltered and traditional community. His lifestyle only incorporates as much from technology and the world around him as he has to in order to survive in the world and not live in a horse-and-buggy commune. The story revolves around the culture class while they work together as best they can to put together a Christmas musical/drama to draw in the people of the communities around them.

Please give us the first page of the book.

I can do better. I can give you the cover and the first three chapters in a PDF flip book. It’s awesome! Here’s a link.

http://issuu.com/abingdonpress/docs/the_narrow_path

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m really easy to find.
http://www.gailsattler.com/
http://www.mennoniteromancenovel.com/
http://www.gailsattler.blogspot.com/
http://www.goldenearsjazzband.com/

Thank you, Gail, for spending this time with us.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. When you use this link to order the book, you'll help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

35 comments:

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds like a wonderful read. I find the Amish & Mennonite communities to be so interesting. This modern vs. traditional theme should be awesome.

Thanks for the chance to win!
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

sharon54220 said...

This books sounds absolutely wonderful. Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

runner10 said...

Great interview. I would love this book.
csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

Gail, This does sound like a great read. I love reading abut Amish and Mennonite communities. How they live and flourish living their life as God directs them.

Great interview. Pls enter me in the giveaway. Thanks

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Deborah said...

please enter me...Amish and Mennonite fiction are my weakness

Jan Cline said...

How cool is that - PDF sneak peek! Can't wait to read it. Count me in.

rubynreba said...

I would find this book very interesting to read. Thanks for the chance. Enjoy your blog.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Casey said...

Please enter me, this book looks good!

apple blossom said...

Mennonite sounds interesting. I read alot of Amish. Love to be included in the drawing.
Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book. I have always enjoyed reading books about the Amish (& Mennonite). Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Mark said...

I'd like to enter

Linda Kish said...

This book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win it.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Cindy W. said...

Thank you for the sneak peek of the first 3 chapters. Can hardly wait to read the entire book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Lydia M. said...

Gail Sattler is one of my favorite authors. I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

lindawn[at]hotmail[dot]com

Cherie J said...

Great interview! Please enter me. Thank you.

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
This sounds like a fantastic book. Would love to be entered in your give away.
Thanks and blessings,
Trinity Rose

Julia M. Reffner said...

I enjoyed the interview and sounds like a fun read. I agree it would be interesting to meet Poe.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds great, please drop my name in the hat! :)

Sylvia M. said...

I love reading Gail's books! This books sounds just as good as her others. I'd like to enter this giveaway.

Samitude[at]hotmail[dot]com

Giveaway Lady said...

Please enter me:) I would love to read this book. Thanks!!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Carla said...

I would love to read this book. Put my name in the drawing.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Carole said...

I agree with Gail about Edgar Allen Poe - he was a master at creating the final scene. And I look forward to reading "The Narrow Path." Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carolynn said...

I am of a similar backround as the mennonite, so this book sounds really interesting. I would love to read it, thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Judylynn said...

Yes, I'd like to win this book.

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

The Narrow Path sounds likes an interesting story. Please enter my name, thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great post. This sounds like an intersting story. Please enter me.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Marla said...

I like the storyline. Would love to win. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Sarah R said...

This sounds like a book I'd want to read. Please enter me in the drawing!

windycindy said...

Years ago, when my husband was young, they lived in Maryland!
A mennonite family lived next door to them! One of the young sons gave
my husband one of their boys'
straw hats. My husband still has it and it hangs proudly in our home. Please enter my name in this delightful sounding book.....
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Desiree said...

Sounds good!

Megan said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the interview, Lena!

Megan

Sarah G said...

I would love to read "The Narrow Path." Thanks so much!

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com