Friday, February 08, 2013

WHEN THE HEART HEALS - Ann Shorey - One Free Book

Welcome back, Ann. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
2014 will bring the release of the third book in the Sisters at Heart series, Love’s Sweet Beginning, along with a novella in a collection with fabulous authors Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Jane Kirkpatrick. I really enjoyed my venture into novella writing—it was a first for me. I hope to have opportunity to write another one . . . or two . . . or three!

Tell us a little about your family.
My husband and I are empty nesters. We have three grown daughters and three grandchildren.

We currently share our home with our loveable dog, Amber. She’s a Belgian Malinois (they resemble German Shepherds, but are somewhat smaller overall). She stays next to my desk all day to keep me from getting lonely while I’m writing.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
A writing instructor told me once that writing would spoil reading for me. While that hasn’t quite happened (I’m sure nothing could spoil the pleasure I get from reading), I do read with an editor’s eye, and also tend to go back over well written passages to deconstruct how the author put the scene together. But when I’m caught up in a story, I just read for fun, like everyone else.

It took me a while after I started writing and being published before I could turn my internal editor off when I’m reading, but I was able to finally. What are you working on right now?
At the moment, I’m doing edits for the novella, and awaiting edits for Love’s Sweet Beginning.

What outside interests do you have?
My outside interests are, well, outside. J I love to walk our dog along our country road, I enjoy hiking, beach walks, and camping with my husband, and love to work in my flower garden. My “inside” interest is, of course, reading. I always have a book or two going.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
There’s always a smidgen of my family history in my books, so the settings are places where my ancestors lived. My husband and I have enjoyed our research trips to Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. My great-grandparents came over the Oregon Trail, so I’m thinking about setting a future book or books in the places they traveled through.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Even though she’s not a famous historical person, I’d love to spend an evening with my great-great grandmother and have her tell me her story. Her mother died when she was three, her father left her with one of his sisters and ran off to Texas with Austin’s Original Three Hundred. She married a circuit riding preacher when she was fourteen and he was thirty. They settled in Illinois just a few years after the Blackhawk War. Don’t you imagine she’d have a fascinating story to tell?

I’m sure. I love to hear stories from my ancestors, too. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
I didn’t realize how much time my writing would take from my family. Deadlines can come at inconvenient moments. No matter how well I think I’ve planned my schedule, there are occasions I’ve had to pass on family plans to focus on a project.

I dislike those times, too. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
I love this question! I believe He’s teaching me that not all obstacles are meant to be overcome. He puts some of them in my path because He wants to redirect my steps. I’m learning to listen much more closely during my devotional times.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
At the top of the list is “persevere.” Don’t give up. Keep writing.

Second, attend all the classes and conferences you can afford. Keep learning and improving your craft.

Third, don’t stall out on your first project. If you get nothing but rejections, learn from them and start something new. The third novel I wrote was the first one to be published. The other two . . . well, they’re comfortable on a shelf.

Tell us about the featured book.
Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and even downright vulgar. Although she would like to put that part of her life behind her, she needs to support herself. She takes a nursing position with Dr. Elijah Stewart, but whenever they are together they always seem to do or say the wrong things. When someone threatens Rosemary, will she find the courage to stand or will she leave town—and Elijah—forever?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Noble Springs, Missouri
February, 1867

Rosemary Saxon startled awake. Downstairs, her dog sounded like he was attempting to burst through the front door. His bark was one continuous “rawr rawr rawr,” interspersed with deep growls.

A glance out the window told her daylight waited somewhere beyond the horizon. She flung her wrapper over her shoulders and tiptoed down to the entryway. Her heart thudded in her throat at skittering noises on the porch.

Crouching next to Bodie, she placed her hand on the raised fur along his back. “Shh. We’re fine.” She inched to the window and peered through a corner of the lace curtain. Blackness.

Bodie growled low in his chest. Her pulse gradually slowed as she stroked his velvety ears, reassured by this solid presence next to her. Anything that got through her locked door wouldn’t get past Bodie.

I can’t wait to see what is beyond the door. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My webpage is www.annshorey.com.
Find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey?fref=ts.  
I’m also on Twitter (Ann_Shorey) and on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/annshorey
Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Lena! I’ve enjoyed visiting with you.

And I always enjoy having you drop by. Thank you, Ann, for sharing your life and story with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
When the Heart Heals: A Novel (Sisters at Heart) - paperback
When the Heart Heals (Sisters at Heart Book #2): A Novel - Kindle


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

Remember, my book Maggie's Journey is still a FREE download in all ebook formats until February 12.

37 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

I love Ann's books and would really like to win this one. Thank you for the chance.

Wendy N. from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Ann Shorey said...

Thank you, Wendy! I'm so glad you like my books.:) Love your Raggedy Ann and Andy thumbnail--they were favorites of mine when I was a child.

Ann Shorey said...

Thanks for hosting me, Lena! You have a great blog. :)

Sparks of Ember said...

What a great story about your great-great grandmother. You're lucky to know even that much about her!

from the black hills of SD

Amy C said...

Ann is a new author to me and would love to read When the Heart Heals. Sounds great!
VA

Anonymous said...

I love Ann Shorey's books. I just finished reading The Edge of Light and loved it. Thanks for the chance to win When The Heart Heals.

Katie J from FL

Patty said...

Sounds like Rosemary was a woman ahead of her time... I look forward to reading her story.

Patty in SC

scottsgal said...

Our neighbors have a malinois - what a cool dog. Thanks for the chance to read your book
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Katie said...

Sounds great to me! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

Jasmine A. said...

I haven't read any of Ann's books yet and I would love to start with this one!
Jasmine A. in Montana

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

Marianne Barkman said...
i too, love Ann's novels and would be honored to win this one. i don't usually read excerpts, but the first line caught me...i am a dog lover, and this story has a dog! So fun. Thanks for a great interview, Lena and Ann.

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

(i had mixed up my email addresses..not unusual, but hopefully always found)

Norma S said...

This sounds like a wonderful book i would love to win it. I want to find out what Rosemary does? I know it has to be wonderful having daughters, i have one and i can't do with out her?
Thank you for a chance to win! You and Lena had a great interview. God bless both of you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Deborah D said...

Sounds like a wonderful book.

rdunson(at)knology(dot)

Deborah D, FL

Cindy W. said...

I would love to be entered to win Ann's book. Thank you for the opportunity.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana

countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

Nancee said...

"When the Heart Heals" sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing Ann with us, and for offering a giveaway of her book!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Mary Preston said...

I always love hearing stories about my family history, so I can understand you choosing your Great Great Grandmother to speak to.


Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

apple blossom said...

thanks for the chance to win Ann's book
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

Diana Flowers said...

Thank you for the great interview and I would love to read Ann's book. She's a wonderful author! Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

Diana in SC

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Ann Shorey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Shorey said...

Good to hear from all you dog lovers out there. I hope you'll enjoy the role Rosemary's dog plays in "When the Heart Heals"!

Ann Shorey said...

Mary, my family history finds its way into all my stories. The Sisters at Heart series is set in Missouri because that's where my great-grandparents settled after the Civil War. :)

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Lourdes said...

This book sounds great would love to win.

Lourdes Long Island,NY

Marissa said...

Would love to win this one!

~Marissa from Colorado

Jean said...

Thank you for the opportunity to get this book!

Jean Kropid
West Palm Beach, FL

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Wow, I'd love to sit and hear Ann's great-great grandmother's story, too! There are many days I wish my grandparents were still alive to ask them things I never thought about when I was younger!

Thanks for the chance to win her newest book!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Merry said...

When the Heart Heals sounds like an interesting story, I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
Merry in TX

rubynreba said...

When the Heart Heals looks like a wonderful book!
Beth from IA

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela from KY

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins

Duncanville Tx

Library Lady said...

I would love to win Ann's book, "When the heart heals".
We have her books in the church library.
Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Ann Shorey said...

So great to hear from all of you. I love seeing where y'all are from. Special wave to Janet, the Library Lady. Libraries are so important to churches and communities.

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Awesome!
Enter me!

Blanch, N.C.

Liz R said...

Would love to win this book, thanks for the opportunity!

Liz R in Al

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. S. California vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com