Tuesday, April 13, 2010

RODEO SWEETHEART - Betsy St. Amant - Free Book

Welcome back to my blog, Betsy. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

He has definitely been at work and I am so blessed and grateful! RODEO SWEETHEART is my third novel with Steeple Hill Love Inspired and I also have a Christmas novella with Marta Perry releasing Christmas 2010 that I am very excited about. We’ll see what else from there!

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married to my hero, Brandon, who is a fireman and the love of my life. We have one daughter, who I affectionately nicknamed Little Miss, and she will be two years old in July. Hard to believe how fast the time flies!!!

Has your writing changed your reading habits?

If so, how? Yes, unfortunately. I have less time to read now since I am working toward my own deadlines, but that’s a good thing!! I think the only negative way that my reading habits has changed because of my writing is that the more I learn and grow in the craft, the harder it is to turn off that internal editor when reading other books. Things that used to never bother me in stories now do!

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on several proposals that I’m very excited about. More info on that to come soon! =)

What outside interests do you have?

I love shopping and spending time with my family. Watching movies, the usual. Plus, I adore kickboxing. It’s the best workout and since having my daughter, I haven’t had the time to get into it again like I was, but I hope to one day!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

It’s whatever the story needs. If I have a hankering to write about a cowgirl, like in RODEO SWEETHEART, then obviously she needs a ranch, so Texas seemed the perfect fit. With my first two Love Inspired novels, RETURN TO LOVE and A VALENTINE’S WISH, I set them in New Orleans because of my family heritage and my love of the city. (my husband proposed there!)

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Jane Austen. I think she’d be fantastic to meet in person. I’d love to interview her about her own books!

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

How slow the process is! And how attached you get to your “babies”. They say rejections aren’t personal, they’re business, but it still stings. =)

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I would say discipline. He’s really been moving in my life and I’ve been juggling my writing with my family time and being a homemaker and wife. It’s a good balance and I’ve learned a lot about how to make the most of my time – including my time with Him.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

WRITE WRITE WRITE. If you don’t write, you’ll never get published. Don’t spend too much time on blogging and Facebook and other communities that suck writing time for your schedule. Prioritize. Those avenues are important for promoting and marketing, but keep a good balance. Allow yourself a set amount of time per day or week for those things. Also, don’t give up. Again, if you give up, you are guaranteed to never meet your goals or dreams! (And a fourth – attend writers conferences and join the ACFW!) =)

Tell us about the featured book?

RODEO SWEETHEART is a story about a cowgirl named Sam who is determined to save her family ranch. Once a breeding farm, her beloved farm has been turned into a Dude Ranch in order to make ends meet. Sam wants to bring back the breeding farm in honor of her late father, who died bull riding in a local rodeo. To earn the money, Sam must ride in the same rodeo—except she knows nothing about bull riding! To make matters worse, city boy Ethan comes into town with inside knowledge, hoping to buy the property out from under Sam for a cheap price for his own family’s company. This story of opposites attracting and romance guarantee a fun, exciting ride from start to finish!

Sounds like a fun read. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can contact me through my website, http://www.betsystamant.com/ , find me on facebook, or read my blog at http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Betsy, for visiting with us again.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


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 6 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. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

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

33 comments:

Betsy St. Amant said...

Thanks Lena!!

rubynreba said...

Please enter me for this book. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

TNprincess said...

I loved her other books, Return to Love and Valentine's Wish. I can't wait to read this one...I'd love to read it for free! Thanks!

Coolestmommy said...

Betsy--you have the most stunning eyes!! I also want you to know I am so grateful that the Love Inspired line has taken off. I love the stories and yours looks like a great one.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Oh, I really want to read this book! Please enter me in the drawing! I really enjoyed the interview! :)
God bless!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Laney4 said...

Hi! Thanks for another great blog, Lena!

Betsy, I can't imagine taking up bull riding after my dad died like that. There must be so many things to learn, and then there's the fear factor! Throw in some rivalry (for lack of a better word) and romance, and I'm there! Thanks for the hook! I'm looking forward to reading this book.

rbooth43 said...

Betsy, I would love to read and review your book for Good Reads and Library Thing. I am a follower and suscriber. God Bless you and A Christain Writer's World followers.
Thanks, Lena.

rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

G.R.I.T.S. said...

sounds like a great boook! i love cowgirls :)

please enter me!


Rae

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great read. Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Katherine said...

This book looks really good! Please enter me.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

runner10 said...

Sounds like a great book.
Would love to read.

Sheila Deeth said...

Sounds a fun read. Nice meeting you in the interview. And comforting to know the rejections sting real writers too.

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Edna said...

Don't have any of her books yet maybe I can win one here.


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Cindy W. said...

Enjoyed the interview and would love to win a copy of Rodeo Sweetheart. Thank you for the opportunity.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

misskallie2000 said...

This book sounds like a terrific book to read. Cowboys and romance. Pls include me in the giveaway. Thanks


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Betsy St. Amant said...

Thanks for the interest, guys! Good luck and if you don't win here, stop by my blog soon for another chance at a giveaway. www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
Sounds very good.
Please enter me.
Have a blessed day,
Trinity Rose

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like an enjoyable book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book, the story sounds really good.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

apple blossom said...

love to win this book. I love Love inspired books

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Megan said...

Sounds like a great book. And I love that picture of you!

Thanks again for another great interview, Lena!

Megan

Carla said...

I love stories about cowgirls.
Thanks.

Unknown said...

This sounds like a wonderful read! Please enter me!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Tami said...

Sounds like a great read!

Tami

mymadakaja at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

please count me in, thanks.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Megan (Inspired by Fiction) said...

This sounds like a fun book! And I appreciate the lessons in discipline, that is one of the things that the Lord is working with me too!

We posted about your giveaway at Winning Readings.

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Charleydog said...

Please enter my name in the giveaway for the books. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway.

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Marla said...

Thank you for the entry in the drawing.

Marla