Tuesday, November 29, 2011

THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER - Melanie Dickerson - Free Book


Welcome back, Melanie. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write the kind of books I like to read—intensely romantic historical romances. I try to write the most entertaining stories I can, but with some depth to the characters and the plot issues. I love the Medieval time period, and I got into writing fairy tales because I love them but I wanted to give them more depth and make them more realistic.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Hmm, it’s a really close call between my wedding day, the births of my two children, and the day I found out Zondervan was publishing my first book!

How has being published changed your life?
In some ways my life hasn’t changed at all. I still have to clean the toilets or they don’t get cleaned, still have to cook and wash dishes and do laundry and take the kids to school and go to their extracurricular activities. Now that I think of it, the only real difference is that I sometimes go on trips related to being published, do book signings and/or public speaking, and do a few interviews per year. That’s it.

What are you reading right now?
Lately I haven’t been able to get into anything. I have been doing research and reading some books on Regency England. Fiction-wise, I just haven’t been in the mood to read! Which feels strange and surprises me as much as anybody.

What is your current work in progress?
I am working on a Regency, but I have just finished a Snow White story and have a Cinderella story in the planning/plotting stage.

I must feature them when they release. What would be your dream vacation?
To go to Germany and England and tour castles.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Usually I just know the setting even before I know the characters or the whole plot. Setting is a huge part of the story for me.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Beth Moore, because she is so spiritual and seems to have a lot of the same struggles I do.

She is an amazing woman of God. Actually, she’s going to be the main speaker at the Women’s Retreat at my church next spring. I can hardly wait. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I like to cook, to bake and make new recipes, and I still like to scrapbook, even though I hardly ever do it anymore.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Just sitting down and writing the first draft is the hardest, because I’m so easily distracted, have a hard time concentrating, and I want to constantly go back and edit what I’ve just written. I sometimes go to a public place to write, like a restaurant, which seems to help me concentrate.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Persevere. And work hard. Write and read and repeat. Study the craft of writing like you’re cramming for a final exam. And pray. Commit your plans to the Lord. Ask him for guidance and help, and pray without ceasing.

Tell us about the featured book.
The Merchant’s Daughter is a Medieval romance. It’s also a fairy tale retelling based on Beauty and the Beast. Zondervan is publishing it as a Young Adult novel, but I think it appeals to anyone who likes historical romance. My hero and heroine, Annabel and Lord le Wyse, have had some devastating, painful betrayals in their pasts. Their story will help readers to discover, along with Annabel and Lord le Wyse, how to overcome their fears, how to trust God, and how to learn to love and laugh and be joyful again. I love the gradual way my two characters learn to trust each other, to trust God, and to fall in love. Isn’t that what the Beauty and the Beast story is all about?

Please give us the first page of the book.
August, 1352, Glynval, England.

Annabel sat in the kitchen shelling peas into a kettle at her feet. A bead of sweat tickled her hairline while only the barest puff of warm air came through the open door.
“Annabel!”

Her brother called from the main house.

He thinks he doesn’t have to help with the work, but I should abandon my task and come running whenever he calls.

She hurried from the kitchen.

Edward stood propped against the wall in the spacious front room of their stone house, scraping under his fingernails with a sharp stick. When he lifted his head, his green eyes fixed her with a hard look. “Mother was summoned this morning to appear before the hallmote. The new lord is coming to Glynval. Even if the hallmote is lenient, I’ve heard he is far from forgiving. What will happen to us? To you?” He thrust the stick at her face.

Annabel bit back annoyance at her brother’s derisive tone. For the past three years he had stood by, just like the rest of her family, refusing to do any of their required work in the fields, putting them all in this situation.

“I have decided to help with the harvest this year.” She crossed her arms as her brother moved closer to her. “We should all help.”

“Do you want to end up sleeping in ditches and begging bread? Help with the harvest? It’s too late to start doing your share now, little sister.” He flung the words at her, jabbing his stick in her direction with each phrase. “If you are wise, you will try to think whose bread you need to butter to see that you have a home after today.”

I'm so glad my copy came the other day. I will be reading it soon. How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love to interact with readers. Please friend me on facebook,
and visit me on my website, www.MelanieDickerson.com where you can watch the awesome trailers for The Healer’s Apprentice and The Merchant’s Daughter, which were shot at the same time as my covers.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Lena! God bless you and your readers!

It was a true blessing to me as well, Melanie.

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


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

44 comments:

Michelle said...

Would love to read this one.

Kentucky

Wendy Newcomb said...

Sounds great, thank you for hosting the giveaway. I live in FL,

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love Medieval Romance, and this book sounds fantastic! Would love to win a copy. I live in SC,

Aimee Jobe

Jubilee Reviews said...

Christian Medieval books are so hard to find. So excited to be introduced to this author, I will be following her on FB
I am in OH, moving to KY in 3 weeks :)
Melanie
melanieinoh2003 @ yahoo dot com

Patsy said...

This sounds really good - would love to read it.

South Miss

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

ZachandZoesMom said...

I would love to read this! It sounds very interesting!
~Joanna
ZachandZoesMom(at)att(dot)net

Lorna Faith said...

Sounds like such a great book...I love the Medieval period and with a Beauty and the Beast sortof theme...it's a winner:) I would love to be entered for a chance to win!

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Suzanne said...

I love YA historical fiction, and fiction set in the middle ages, so this book sounds like a winner to me.
Suzanne :O)
shartmann5(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please sign me up! I would love to read this!

Salena
Texas

Merry said...

I enjoyed the beginning page, please include me for The Merchant's Daughter.
Merry in TX

Cathy said...

Can't wait to read this book! Please enter me. I'm in BC Canada. Thanks

Cathy

RED~Scribe said...

I read The Healer's Apprentice and truly enjoyed it. I look forward to picking The Merchant's Daughter up.

Eldra from British Columbia

Anonymous said...

Really enjoyed reading the interview with Melanie. Love the idea of Christian novels based on the fairy tales! Can't wait to read her books!

Samantha
from Michigan

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! I'd love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.

Nancye in Kentucky

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Melanie Dickerson said...

Sorry I'm late! Lena, thanks so much for featuring my book on your blog today! And did you say Beth Moore is coming to your church in the spring??? Oh My Goodness. I just may have to come to Texas in the spring!!!

Thanks so much, everyone, for commenting! I had to go to the doctor this morning--sinus infection, yuck!--and it's been a crazy day. I was actually speaking at my local library tonight and just got home! I only had one coughing fit--you know the kind where your eyes water and you can't speak and even water doesn't help, you just have to have a mint? Yeah. But thankfully, I had some mints in my purse!!!

Thanks again, everyone!

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Actually, Melanie, women from all over the US and even some other countries come to our women's conference. The link is:

http://pinkimpact.com/

The conference is pretty affordable. Singer Kari Jobe is from our church, and she usually sings.

Lane Hill House said...

The Merchant's Daughter
Yes, pick me, please!

I would love to read this book.
Howell County, Missouri

lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

Mary Preston said...

"The Merchant’s Daughter" looks wonderful. I do enjoy a Medieval romance. I like he retelling of BEAUTY & THE BEAST aspect - my favorite fairy tale.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Helen Wakefield said...

I am yet to read a Christian medieval, but I so want to because I just love the medieval period. Melanie, you're definitely on my to read list :)

Helen in NSW, Australia

helenblogspot[at]gmail[dot]com

Coolestmommy said...

Medieval is one of my favorite genres. And the Beauty & the Beast theme sounds wonderful. Can't wait to read it!!!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Erynn said...

So excited about this. Beauty and the Beast was my favorite fairy tale growing up. Can't wait to read your version. This was a fun interview. It's cool to see the comments coming in from all over, too.

ErynnNewman(at)gmail(dot)com

Raleigh, NC

apple blossom said...

oh, please enter me thanks
I live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Joy Hannabass said...

Would love to read The Merchant's Daughter. I love Melanie's books too!
Blessings.....Joy
ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

JJ said...

I would like to see the castles too.

Happy Holidays,
gahome2mom/gmail/com

Terri said...

I love Melanie Dickerson's writing. She is awesome! Would love to win a copy to donate to my church library. I live in Texas.
Terri

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds like a great story! Thanks and God bless!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Cookie Lady said...

Sounds like a great book...love the cover too....haven't read any of your books, looking forward to tho...."Cookie Lady " Ohio

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Please enter me in the drawing!!
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.

Courtney said...

Please enter me in the drawing!! I love Melanie Dickerson's writing!! Thank you so much!!

Courtney
from WA state

Ingrid said...

Lena and Melanie, thank you for the Interview, it was great. I hope you get to go to Germany and England to see all the Castle, I was born and raised in Germany and I know how beautiful the Castles are.
I would love to read your book, please add my name to your Contest.
Blessings to all.

I live in S. Illinois

ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alicia said...

This book looks very interesting and mysterious.

Alicia from NYC
alibaby374@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I cannot wait to read this book!! I loved The Healer's Apprentice, and Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, so anything to do with that is right up my alley. Thank you so much for the fun interview, and the chance to win :)
Colorado (where we should get snow this week-yay!)
potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

Pam K. said...

I bought "The Healer's Apprentice" last year for my daughter; we both really enjoyed it. After seeing the trailer and reading an excerpt, I'm looking forward to reading "The Merchant's Daughter" as well.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Sarah said...

AWWW!!! I loved her first book! It was so good! Andd... Beauty and the beast is like my favorite princess story. Can't wait to read this one!

Katie said...

Please enter me! Ive 'read her other book and it was amazing :) I cannot wait to read this one!!! I'm from NC.

God bless!

Katie G.

Unknown said...

i like historical romances, and would love to win Melanie's book. Thanks for a great interview and giveaway

marianne[dot]wanham[at]gmail[dot]com

from El Mirage, Arizona

Jaedyn said...

This looks SO good - I can't wait to read it! :)

Lindsey
Oregon

holdenj said...

I enjoyed the interview a lot and think it's interesting that she is going back to some familiar fairy tales for these stories! Thanks for the chance to win!
Julie in MN

Cindy W. said...

I have been a fan of Beauty & the Beast long before Disney did their wonderful production. I would absolutely love to read The Merchant's Daughter and would love to win a copy. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy.

I live in Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

rubynreba said...

I like romantic historicals too and know I would enjoy this.
Beth from Iowa.

Lady DragonKeeper said...

I loved "The Healer's Apprentice" --it was one of the best debut novels I've ever read. Thanks for the chance to win Mrs. Dickerson's second book!

jafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu

(P.S. I'm from Hawaii)

Ingrid said...

Do I still have time to answer this conest, the book sounds wonderfull, please add me.
Blessings to all

I live in S,Illinois

ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristie said...

I have never read a medieval romance. I'm very impressed with the depth of your research. Your book sounds good. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.