Wednesday, December 28, 2011

THYME FOR LOVE - Pamela S Meyers - Free Book

Welcome, Pam. I've really been looking forward to our time together.


Q: Give us a little preview of Thyme for Love.
A:  April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. When her Aunt Kitty hears of a in-house chef position for a non-profit organization housed in a lakeshore mansion next door, April returns to Canoga Lake, Wisconsin, where she’d spent many summers growing up, to apply for the job. When she discovers her former fiancĂ© Marc Thorne working there, she wonders if this position was really God’s intention for her. After all, Marc all but left her standing at the altar to chase his own dreams in California. It doesn’t take long to realize Marc is hiding secrets and despite returning feelings for the man, April determines she will not make the same mistake as she did eight years earlier. But when their boss is found dead and Marc is framed for his murder, April has no choice but to turn sleuth to keep Marc from being accused of a murder he didn’t commit.

Q: What made you want to write this book?
A:  I’ve always loved romance and mysteries, and decided to write a story that married the two elements together. I grew up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and have always been fascinated by the many 20th Century mansions that dot the lake’s shoreline. I toyed with the idea of setting the story in one of those homes, but decided to create a smaller lake and village just to the east of Lake Geneva to gain more freedom with some of the details of the story and its characters. I loved having the area located close enough to Lake Geneva that April and Marc could go there for a meal at one of the actual restaurants there. I also gave them backgrounds that involve working on Geneva Lake as many college students do during the summer months.


Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  In one way or another I’ve always written almost since I could hold a pencil. When I was eight years old I asked for a diary for Christmas and I wrote in it at different times of my childhood. I still have that little book and it contains bits and pieces of my life from age eight until sometime in high school. Even into my adult years I’d journal from time to time, but never thought of turning that “need” to put words to paper into a career until years later. While completing my bachelor’s through an accelerated adult program, one of my professors suggested I could make a living writing. I published several magazine articles, but as the hankering to write stories grew stronger, I began taking fiction writing classes. At a local writer’s conference a multipublished author suggested I could turn one of my short stories into a novel. That was all I needed to hear. I soon joined American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) while the organization was in its infancy and through their writing courses and conferences I continued to grow in the craft.

Q: Have you written other novels besides Thyme for Love?
Oh yes. My first novel which I would classify as a women’s fiction languishes in my computer at the moment. Authors very seldom publish their first written work as that often turns out to be a practice project. The storyline still resonates with me and I’d love to one day pull it out and rework it. There are a couple other stories that will probably never see the light of day. I’m very excited to have a novel set in my hometown of Lake Geneva, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, coming out in June 2012 from Summerside Press. It’s a 1933 historical romance, and I had a blast researching for the story.

Q. Do you have any plans for a sequel to Thyme for Love?
A. I’m so glad you asked. Thyme for Love is part of a three-book series called “On the Road to Love.” Books 2 and 3 involved April and Marc, and both are set in Canoga Lake. In Book 2, Love Will Find a Way, April moves into an old Victorian home with plans to turn it into a restaurant and catering business. It isn’t long before a discovery made while they are renovating the home threatens to hijack plans for the grand opening. In Book three, Love’s Reward, April and Marc’s wedding plans are in full swing, until it becomes apparent there is someone who doesn’t want them to marry.

Q. How do you get your story ideas?
A. There’s an old adage to write what you know. I might add to that, to always keep your eyes and ears open for a possible story line. That first novel I wrote was sparked by something someone said to me when she showed me a picture of my great-grandfather’s grave. My Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, story grew out of wanting to know the history behind the beautiful lakeshore recreational building that has become an icon of the area. Just today a newspaper article sparked an idea I’d like to develop into a proposal.

Q. What is your daily writing routine?
A. My best writing time is morning, but I’ve had to make myself work outside the box at times when that kind of schedule doesn’t work. Since I am a morning person, I find it best to set my alarm as if I’m going to work. I get up at 5:30 and spend at least an hour in my Quiet Time with God. Then I try to walk daily for exercise before settling down in my home office to write. I recently converted unused space in my dining are into an office and that has helped tremendously with getting the sense of “going to work.” This helps me stay on task. Too many years actually working Monday through Friday probably contributes to that. On days I have an obligation away from home in the morning, I have had to force myself to be creative in the afternoon and early evening. I think as I start working on deadlines more and more that’s going to be essential.

Q. What advice do you have for new authors?
A. Persevere, persevere, and persevere. I started out aspiring to be published in novel writing more than ten years ago. I had the raw ability and desire to write, but that skill had to be trained and honed, much like a young colt has to be trained. I have learned that writers need to develop what we jokingly refer to as rhino skin and also we need a positive teachable attitude. Join critique groups, take writing courses, attend writing conferences where great teaching occurs and you’ll have opportunities to meet with industry professionals and pitch to editors and agents. ACFW has a great yearly conference ever September that is for fiction writers only. I cannot tout ACFW enough. It is a must organization to join for anyone who writes fiction from a Christian point of view.

Q. When you aren’t writing, what fills your days?
A. I volunteer at my church in the multicultural ministry, helping Japanese women learn to speak English and lead a women’s small group Bible study. I’m also chapter president of my local ACFW chapter which meets monthly. Also, I enjoy reading (surprise, surprise) and movies. Love to cook and find new ways of making things. You’ll find an adaptation of a recipe someone gave me called Chicken George at the back of Thyme for Love. I loved having April prepare it in the novel, and look forward to experimenting with more recipes for the sequels.

Thank you, Pam, for spending this time with us.


Readers, you can find out more about Pamela at this site: http://www.pamelasmeyers.com/


Here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog. 
Thyme for Love


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

31 comments:

Patty said...

Mystery & romance, always a fun combination! It's fun that Pamela can include her love of cooking in the book.

Patty in SC

Wendy Newcomb said...

Yum, sounds delicious!

wfnren at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Oh, Lena how do you consistently find great authors and novels? i would love to read Pamela's Thanks for the opportunity to win!

mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

Arizona

Molly said...

I absolutely LOVE this kind of book! Loved the interview as well. Thanks for the chance to win!

Molly in NC

Kianna Rose said...

Oh... This book sounds intriguing! Great interview.

rosesaved2@gmail.com
rosesaved2{at}gmail.{dot}com

scottsgal said...

we live about abou 90 minutes from Lake Geneva and love spending time boating and hanging out there - this sounds like a wonderful read
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Coolestmommy said...

Love hearing where your story ideas sparked from! Fund to hear the history of those books.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Mary Preston said...

I'm looking forward to reading THYME FOR LOVE. A great title by the way. It is very telling.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Jo said...

Great combination. Sounds like such a great book and am looking forward to reading it. Please enter me.

Blessings,
Jo in Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I enjoyed the interview. Please enter me for this book - sounds like another great one!
Beth from Iowa

apple blossom said...

thanks for a chance to win this book

i live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds like a very interesting book i would Love to read it enter me in the drawing Thanks
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Frances said...

Can't wait to read your books.

Hugs,
Frances
Missouri

Pamela S. Meyers said...

Yesterday I tried to post a comment here and Blogger was not cooperating. It still isn't today, but I'm trying a workaround.
Thanks, Lena, for inviting me to visit your blog this week! I consider it an honor to be here :-).
And thanks to all of you who have signed up for a chance to win Thyme for Love.

Frances Divine, one of my crit partners from Penwrights has stopped by also!

Thanks to all for showing interest in my debut novel! I'm busy working on Book Two in the series, so I'd best get back over there and make sure my characters are behaving :-)

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

EJ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
EJ said...

Food, Romance & Mystery - sounds like a great book! Elaine in Iowa

Rebecca said...

I love romatic intrigue and would love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
Rebecca in NC

Sharon Richmond said...

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

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

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

Ingrid said...

Thanks for the Interview, I love reading about the Author. Please add me to your contest.
Blessings to all

I live in S.Illinois

ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

A.Jones said...

Romance and mystery is a mix that promises to deliver a great read. Please enter me in this giveaway!

I live in New York

Faith said...

Sounds like a really awesome book. I enjoyed the lovely interview, thanks ladies :)

from SD

Katie said...

This is right up my alley :) I'm from NC.

God bless!

Ann Summerville said...

Always nice to hear about how an author comes up with story ideas.
Ann

Lourdes said...

Would love to win. Book sounds great. Thank you for a great interview.

Lourdes from Long Island, NY

Mama Cat said...

Sounds great - would love to read a new mystery! Thank you for the chance to win! I live in Phoenix

Mozi Esme said...

I'd love to read this!

Jane in OR

Angie Adair said...

Sounds great! Angie in Illinois

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

Nancye in Kentucky

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Kristie said...

It's interesting that your heroine meets up with her former fiance. Sounds like they need closure. I don't usually read mysteries but this one has a large dash of romance thrown in and sounds great. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you. Happy 2012!