Wednesday, June 29, 2011

SECOND CHANCE FAMILY - Winnie Griggs - Free Book

Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Interesting question, because I read very eclectically.  But my voice is a small town voice and small town, community-based stories are the ones that come most naturally to me.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my husband proposed to me.

How has being published changed your life?
Ironically, it has brought me out of my shell quite a bit.  Even though writing is a very solitary activity, I have become quite active in local and regional writing organizations and count writers as among my closest and dearest friends.  Also, though I’ve always suffered from an extreme case of stage fright (in college I took 10 hours of Spanish to get out of 3 hours of speech) I find myself actually looking forward to presenting workshops at writers conferences, which I do about 4-6 times a year now.

What are you reading right now?
A book by Laura Marie Altom titled A Wedding For Baby.

What is your current work in progress?
I am writing the third book in a continuity (set of connected books whose storyline is conceived by the editors) for Love Inspired Historicals.  These books follow the lives of three sisters who immigrate from Ireland to America in the 1850s.

I'm sure I'd love that series. What would be your dream vacation?
I’d love to visit Nova Scotia someday.  I grew up in South Louisiana’s Cajun country, and in tracing my family tree, I’ve discovered that some of my Acadian ancestors came over from there and I think it would be fun to experience the place first hand.

I can see why you'd want to go there, and I've heard it beautiful in Nova Scotia. How do you choose your settings for each book?
When I start a book, the setting is nearly as important to me as the characters.  I even spend as much time find just the right town name as I do figuring out the name for my characters.  But as I said before, small towns are my setting of choice.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d love to spend some time with screenwriter Joss Whedon.  I love his writing, especially his dialog - so sharp and unexpected. 

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen - taking an existing recipe and playing with it to create something new and entirely my own.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I suppose that would be my awful tendency to procrastinate.  There are days when I have to exercise a great deal of discipline and self-control to dive into my story.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
There’s nothing that takes the place of perseverance.  No matter how talented you are, you will get rejections and harsh critiques - that’s part of the business.  The trick is to not let it discourage you and to keep on keeping on.

Sabrina Jeffries said it this way:  “Sometimes hanging in there is all it takes to succeed in life as well as in writing. Failure is part of the process, but it doesn't have to be the final destination.”

Tell us about the featured book.
Second Chance Family is the third book I’ve set in Knotty Pine, Texas.  Mitch and Cora Beth, the hero and heroine, have both appeared in the first two - The Christmas Journey and The Proper Wife.  It’s been obvious (in a hopefully subtle kind of way) from the outset that these two were attracted to each other, but it wasn’t until I sat down to write this book that I took the time to explore why they never acted on their attraction.  It led to some interesting revelations about their backstory.  

Anyway, here is the official blurb:
Love was out of the question... until it became the only solution.
Mitch Hammond is a man of his word.  And for Cora Beth Collins that’s a problem.  The honorable sheriff has vowed never to love again, for fear of wounding someone else.  The most he can offer is marriage in name only.  But with no other way to adopt two beleaguered, runaway orphans, she accepts.

Despite his intentions, however, Mitch is starting to want more from Cora Beth...and from himself.  For in her trusting eyes he sees everything he hopes to be - as a lawman, a father and a husband.

I can hardly wait to read it. Please give us the first page of the book.

September 1893   Knotty Pine, Texas  
“Hey, let me go!  I ain’t done nothing wrong.”
Sheriff Mitchell Hammond wasn’t buying that for a minute.  The furtive way the boy had been sneaking out of the boardinghouse garden had guilt written all over it.  In fact, Mitch’s gut told him this kid was more than likely the culprit responsible for the rash of petty thefts that had plagued the town the past week or so.  “Stop your squirming, son.  I think maybe we need to talk about that bunch of carrots you have stuffed in your shirt.”
“Them’s my carrots.”
The kid’s voice had more than a touch of bluster to it. 
Mitch tightened his hold on the boy’s collar.  “You don’t say?  Well, here comes Mrs. Collins now.  Since she runs this boardinghouse and this here is her garden, why don’t we see what she has to say about that.”
Cora Beth Collins was bustling toward them.  Even in the watery early morning light he could make out the concerned look on her oh-so-readable face, could tell that her honey-brown hair was pulled back in its usual tidy bun, could appreciate the way her crisply starched apron was tied around her trim waist. 
Mitch frowned as he realized where his thoughts had strayed.  He’d always considered Cora Beth a fine lady and a good friend.  But lately he’d begun to feel something a little warmer than mere friendship when he caught sight of her. 
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website is www.winniegriggs.com.  And you can find me on facebook as well.


Thank you, Winnie, for stopping by my blog again. You've given us a lot to think about.



Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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 4 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Frist comment....WoW!!! I would be blessed to win a copy of this book.
ANGELA FROM KENTUCKY

Wildflower said...

This books sounds interesting and exciting.
Rebecca from Massachusetts

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds like a lovely book. I need to see if I have read the previous two books...they sound wonderful as well. I love intersting backstories. They make such an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great post and interview, Lena and Winnie, and the chance to win this book. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

Judy said...

Thanks for a great interview! I would love to win a copy of "Second Chance Family". This book sounds like a great read and I can't wait to read it!

Blessings,

Judy from IN

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love the chance at this book!! I really enjoy the LI books as they are so easy to take with me. Thanks!
Charity from IL.

Rebecca said...

Thank you so much for the chance to win this. Sounds like a good book. Would love to read. Thanks again.

I am from Oklahoma.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Emma said...

Great interview.This book sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the giveaway.PA.

Patsy said...

I know this book will be great. Looking forward to reading it. I really enjoy reading all the Love Inspired books.
From the Bible Belt

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Faith's Grandma said...

This sounds interesting....carrots eh?.....would love to read this book.

Grandma/Ohio

Krista said...

Ooohhh.... sounds good! Please enter me!

Krista from Gresham, OR

apple blossom said...

please enter me
I live in ND


ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Angela C. said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. Hope I win it....

A.Carpenter

scottsgal said...

what a beautiful cover - sounds wonderful
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Sarah said...

Would love to win!

Sarah H.
Oklahoma

Shirley T. said...

This is a book I would love to win...Shirley T./Illinois

Love said...

I have also got a copy of this book... love it.

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. By the way, I also sometimes do the same things with recipes. I live in S. CA.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter Me
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Winnie Griggs said...

Hello everyone - sorry for the lack of response until now. I've just returned from a week-long stay in NYC for a writers' conference and as luck would have it the hotel I stayed at didn't have free internet access. Anyway, thanks for all the nice things you had to say about my book and if there are any questions you have for me, fire away!

Kristie said...

It's amazing and sad that people swear off love, but God has other plans. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Jo said...

Would love the opportunity to win this book. Please enter me.

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

joyce williams said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

Merry said...

I loved A Proper Wife, please include me for Second Chance Family. Thanks!
Merry in TX