Thursday, December 12, 2013

DEAR MR. KNIGHTLEY - Katherine Reay - One Free Book

Welcome, Katherine. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Tough question, for in many ways I am every character, and yet I’m none of them as well. I translate more of my emotional landscape into them than any personal history.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I do quirky things daily and in my brain they seem normal. I’ll have to ask my kids what’s embarrassed them the most lately.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I knew when I packed up all my journals. Fifteen full books! I’ve actually always been a writer. It’s what I write that has changed.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
The full gamut ... I love mysteries, literary fiction, theology, fantasy fiction, chick-lit, classics … YA, dystopian, memoires, history …  I read almost everything.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I run, run, run. Seriously. Running relaxes me, provides a great time to connect with God, stimulates the best ideas and keeps me in shape. All good.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sometimes they just come to me. They are who they are. And other times I need their name to say something about them and I have to dig. I should also admit that I’ve changed the names of a few characters trending villainous in fear that family members or friends who shared those names might be offended.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
If I were lovely, I’d say my kids or my marriage – and I am thrilled about all of that. But I’m also so giddy, pleased with Dear Mr. Knightley. It came out of years of hope, hard work, prayer, and a few miracles. It isn’t so much that I’m proud of it—I’m in awe daily that any of it exists at all. That’s terribly exciting and humbling for me.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’m an elephant—long memory, loyal, strong, and often lumbering.

What is your favorite food?
To be my favorite, it has to involve chocolate. It sounds mundane, but chocolate chip cookies speak to my heart. My daughter makes a batch, and we roll the dough into parchment paper and freeze tubes of it so that we can cut and cook a few any time. We need warm cookies—our own homemade version of “slice and bake.” And, I’ll confess, they are “needed” on a daily basis.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Hmmm …  I don’t think I’m a strong idea generator. That’s when I go running. When I push myself past my own constraints, I find new avenues. I have come to learn that running isn’t just a release from my work; it’s part of it.

Tell us about the featured book.
Dear Mr. Knightley is about a young woman, Samantha Moore, who learned to protect herself by hiding behind literary characters. She adopted their personas when scared, in danger, or when she needed understanding friends. But this device now begins to hurt her (as all hiding eventually does) and others and she must lay it down. To fully live and fully love, she must find her own voice, her own life, and her own story. It’s packed with fun literature references, characters whom I adore, and a lot of action in Sam’s life. I hope she gets a rest soon.

Please give us the first page of the book.
It’s an epistolary novel. Here is Sam’s first letter.
APRIL 2
Dear Sir,
It has been a year since I turned down your generous offer.

Father John warned me at the time that I was making a terrible mistake, but I wouldn’t listen. He felt that by dismissing that opportunity I was injuring not only myself, but all the foster children helped by your foundation.

I hope any perceived ingratitude on my part didn’t harm anyone else’s dreams. I wasn’t ungrateful; I just wanted to leave Grace House. A group home is a difficult place to live, and I’d been there for eight years. And even though I knew graduate school meant more education and better job prospects, it also meant living at Grace House another two years. At the time I couldn’t face that prospect.

My heart has always been in my books and writing, but I couldn’t risk losing a paying job to pursue a dream. Now I’m ready to try. Not because I failed, but because this degree gives me the chance to link my passion with my livelihood.

Please let me know if the grant is still available. I will understand if you have selected another candidate.

Sincerely,
Samantha Moore

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please find me. … I would love that.
Twitter @katherine_reay
Facebook:  /katherinereaybooks

Thank you, Katherine, for spending time with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dear Mr. Knightley - Christianbook.com
Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel - Amazon.com
Dear Mr. Knightley: 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 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

32 comments:

Unknown said...

The story line for Katherine's book is very interesting! I look forward to reading it
thank you
Ohio
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Cathy said...

Enjoyed the interview. Looking forward to reading this book!

Cathy from BC Canada

Susan P said...

Have heard great things about this book. Sounds good!
Michigan

Melanie Backus said...

Very interesting book and wonderful interview!

Melanie Backus, TX

mongupp said...

I keep hearing about this book! Would love to read it!

Monica , Ontario

Cindy W. said...

This book sounds wonderful. I would love to win a copy.

I live in Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

Unknown said...

Lena, I just wanted to chime in and say thank you for the interview. I loved your questions! And I'm delighted my answers don't seem to scare anyone away from the book. Take care… Katherine

Ellen Mandeville said...

Looking forward to reading this book. Hmmm, Christmas is coming.

Ellen M
Idaho

Lis said...

I've heard great things about this book and I love Jane Austen, too. And I wish I could be a runner like Katherine!

garfsgirl [at] hotmail [dot] com

from VA

Unknown said...

I always can't wait to get my hands on anything to do with the Austen era; movies and books and even the occasional poem.I've been hearing about this book for awhile but unfortunately haven't seen it at my local bookstore. I look forward to reading it!
Sara from Florida.

Kimberly Laursen said...

This book ruined me, and my ability to casually read other books. I checked it out from my library and devoured it, twice, back to back. I absolutely loved it. Touched me so much as an avid reader and Jane Austen fan. I even wrote my daughter, who is away at boot camp, about it. She was intrigued. My name is Kimberly and I live in Oregon.

Miss C said...

I would love to win this book!!!

Britney Adams said...

I loved this interview and would love to win a copy of this book! I have heard so many wonderful things about DEAR MR. KNIGHTLEY!

Britney Adams, TX

traveler said...

Thanks for this great interview and feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. Loved the interview and look forward to reading this book and your future books yet to come.

Robin from Kansas

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

A very interesting beginning to the story.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Rick Estep said...

Great interview. Thanks for the chance to win the book.

Rick from Florida

Librarybooks at religious dot com

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Katherine, it's always a pleasure to introduce my readers to new authors.

Anne Payne said...

wow...15 journals! I'd say that's a big clue your'e a writer. I would love to read Dear Mr Knightley! It sounds a lot like Daddy Long Legs, and that's a great classic book.

Anne, rural NC
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Kandra said...

I have been reading positive reviews...rave reviews...of this book all over the blogs! Please pick me...I'm hungry to read it!
Kandra in OK

Patty said...

Sounds like a very interesting book! What a fun and different cover...

Patty in SC

Unknown said...

Enjoyed the interview with Katherine. This book sounds interesting and it also fascinates me. I'm with Katherine on the chocolate chip cookies. Would love to win. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway and please enter my name.

Barbara Thompson (West Monroe, LA)
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

Love all things Austen...from NY with winter storm forecast and I need a good book to read!
cllyrics@gmail.com

Pam K. said...

I've read quite a few good reviews of Dear Mr. Knightley. It sounds like an out-of-the-ordinary book that I would enjoy reading. It would be fun to win a copy.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Cyndi said...

Great interview! I, too, have been hearing lots of good things about this book and look forward to reading it!

Cyndi in AL

Anonymous said...

love to win the book! From MS! sheliarha64@yahoo.com Shelia Hall

Merry said...

Dear Mr. Knightly sounds delightful!
Merry in MN

bonton said...

Enjoyed your interview, Katherine!

"Dear Mr. Knightley" has an interesting story line, & I would love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ky.

rubynreba said...

I enjoyed the interview very much. Dear Mr. Knightley looks like a book I would enjoy.
Beth from Iowa

Merry said...

I love books with letters in them!
Please add me, thanks.
Merry in MN

Unknown said...

I enjoyed the interview and the first page from the book. This novel sounds very interesting.
Tonja VA