Thursday, August 15, 2013

THE PATH TO PINEY MEADOWS - Gail Sattler - One Free Book

Welcome back, Gail. I loved book one in this series. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
This is something different than I’ve done before. Often I’ve taken a minor character from a previous book and built a story around them, but this time, I took the last scene from The Narrow Path – the first book in my Mennonite series – and rewrote it from the new character’s perspective, and then built the story around why he was there in the first place.

I did something like that in my McKenna’s Daughters series. I rewrote the prologue from book one from the perspective of a different character who was impacted by the event. 

If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
I’d invite those in my critique group who write contemporary. We’ve shared so much over the last few years it would just be natural because we’ve walked the road together.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
I’d invite those in my critique group who write historical, of course. There isn’t six, so I’d invite those from my Bloomfield group who also write historical.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
Time. I have a full time day job. Income from the books for the average mid-list author doesn’t come close to being able to pay the mortgage, car payments, and all other living expenses. It’s a challenge to live a busy life and still have the brainpower to write when the day is done and other responsibilities are met.

Tell us about the featured book.
This is the 2nd book in my contemporary Mennonite series. Unlike the Amish, the Old Order Mennonite group I’ve focused on lives a more contemporary life and doesn’t separate themselves as much from the outside world. They do, however, still keep themselves relatively separate to keep out the evils of the world around them. In continuing with the theme of the first book, in this one my hero comes into the Old Order Mennonite community from the outside world and makes his home there, facing challenges of the present, and his past as he tries to fit in. Coming from the other side of the fence, the heroine in this book wants to leave the Old Order Mennonite community, and needs the hero’s help to prepare herself. So she helps him prepare to stay, he helps her to prepare to leave; as they fall in love can there be a middle ground?

Please give us the first page of the book.
The Path to Piney Meadows
By Gail Sattler

Chapter 1

Chad Jones stared into the bottom of his empty mug. Above him, peals of drunken laughter echoed down from the office Christmas party of the business on the floor above him, in progress since noon.

While Chad sat alone, on Christmas Eve, working. Without coffee. But he could smell the dregs from what was left in the bottom of the pot, empty for hours, since everyone else had gone home.
Chad glanced around his private office, not much bigger than a closet. He had barely enough square footage for his desk and chair, one filing cabinet, and a chair for one guest.

Not that he had many guests. It was too embarrassing. The building looked passable from the outside, but there was a reason the rent was cheaper than other buildings in the same area.

Gary, however, had spared no expense at renovating his own office, which was nearly the size of Chad’s living room.

Upstairs, someone turned up the volume of Jingle Bell Rock.

Chad gritted his teeth, then tilted his head up. “I hate Jingle Bell Rock!” he called up, even though they couldn’t hear him. “Can’t you pick something else?”

With every thump of the bass, the tape dispenser on Chad’s desk vibrated.

He stared at the pile of paper Gary had plunked on his desk before he’d walked out. Gary had left early to be with his family. Chad didn’t have anywhere to go, and Gary knew it, but that wasn’t the point.

After all this time, he could finally admit that his boss had no intention of making him a partner. Everything had been a ploy to get more work out of him. The only thing that would shake greedy Gary into really making him partner was if Gary actually had to do all his own work.
           
Chad peeled off a sticky note and started writing.
I quit!
Chad

I can’t wait until my copy comes. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website at www.gailsattler.com

Thank you for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Path to Piney Meadows - Christianbook.com
The Path to Piney Meadows - Amazon.com
The Path to Piney Meadows - 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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, 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

18 comments:

bonton said...

Enjoy Amish & Mennonite storylines & would like to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ky.

Britney Adams said...

I love a book series! This sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing a sneak peek!

Britney Adams, TX

Anonymous said...

The Narrow Path was such a good book! Would love to win this second book. Please enter me.
Brittany McEuen (TX)

Anonymous said...

The book looks so good!

Katie J. from FLorida

Susan Marlene said...

I would love to win her book and explore a different Amish & Mennonite author's novel. Thank you for the opportunity. Nice interview!
susanmarlenekinney(at)gmail(dot)com

WI

Norma S said...

I would love to win this book, i have never read a Mennonite Book or anything by Gail Sattler. Thank you for the chance to win your book.God bless you.
Norma Ohio

Unknown said...

I have "The Narrow Path" in my home library. It's one of those books I pick up and re-read. Anxious to read this one.
Martha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
WI

Mary Preston said...

I know so very little about the Old Order Mennonite communities, so this will be such a fascinating read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Diana Flowers said...

Thank you for the interesting interview! I have the first book in this series and would love to win this one so that I can read them back to back! I love Mennonite/Amish contemporaries!

Diana in SC

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Anonymous said...

would love to win Angela from KY

Melody said...

I have loved Gail's books from when my daughter's subscribed to Heartsong! I always eagerly looked for hers to be in the 4 book monthly mail!

Donna, TX

Jean said...

This sounds like a book I would truly enjoy reading....Thank you for the opportunity!

Jean Kropid
West Palm Beach, FL

Unknown said...

I enjoy and love reading about the Amish and Mennonites. This book sounds great. Wonderful interview!! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you!!
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

sm said...

I read a lot of Amish fiction and Old Order Mennonite sounds good too. Would love to win and read this one. sharon, CA

Jackie Tessnair said...

I love these types of books.I would really love to win and read this one.Thanks for the chance.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

Shopgirl said...

I've read many of your heartsong books and loved them! I'm excited to read this one. I'm in MN.

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Library Lady said...

I love the cover of this book. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida