Welcome DiAnn. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
I wish I knew! I have three books coming out in 2010, so I’ll be busy promoting and writing. I love teaching new writers, so I’d like to continue with that aspect of my career.
I'm sure you will. Now tell us a little about your family.
Dean and I have been married for 16 years - very happily. We’ve worked at home in the same room for about twelve of those years. And we’re still friends!
I have four adult sons - stair steps. Our youngest has presented us with a three year old granddaughter and a baby grandson. Of course they are perfect and brilliant. :-)
Of course, they are. We have a great grandson who is almost three. He'll be here later today. I can hardly wait. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
I read ABA and CBA books. More of the CBA titles. I read for style, plot twists, and character development. Specifically motivation for the protagonist and antagonist. Although I read suspense, historical, women’s fiction, and romance, I prefer all of my reading to have a bit of suspense,.
I know. I read various genres, but I want all my books to have a bit of romance. What are you working on right now?
Finishing up The Fire in Ember, a historical title for Zondervan.
I want to feature that book on the blog, tot. What outside interests do you have?
I’m a church librarian. Love cooking. Love gardening.
Love a good sale!
Seriously, I take our country, it’s people, and the various situations around the world to heart. World hunger is a concern for me.
I think that if we are committed Christians, we have to. Right now, I'm really concerned with human trafficking. How do you choose your settings for each book?
I choose a setting like I assign character traits. Whenever possible, I want the setting to be an obstacle for the protagonist. And I like to visit the area, talk to the local historians, and take lots of pictures.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Depends on the day!
Apostle Paul - I need his passion to reach out to others with the message of the Gospel. He wrote some good books too.
Harriett Beacher Stowe or Louisa May Alcott - their writings highly influenced me as a child.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
The lengths and depths it takes to develop characters. I never dreamed I’d be reading psychology books and studying personalities. Also the amount of marketing and promotion needed to be successful.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Patience and to wait on Him. A difficult stance to take.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
1. Pray about their writing.
2. Write everyday
3. Read the books written by authors they admire and respect
Tell us about the featured book?
A Woman Called Sage is a historical title that I thought about for a long time. Sage is part Ute and a bounty hunter in the Colorado Rockies.
She had everything she had ever dreamed of, a husband who adored her and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage Morrow is a Colorado bounty hunter bent on retribution. Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it is found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshal Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for.
Then Sage learns that she has become the hunted.
Wow! I can hardly wait to read it. Please give us the first page of the book.
South Eastern Colorado 1875
Summer
Chapter 1
Life didn’t get any better than having the love of a good man and his baby kicking against her ribs. Add a summer breeze to cool the heat of a southern Colorado sun, and a bed of soft green grass tickling her feet, and Sage realized a slice of heaven had come to earth.
“Remember the first time I met you?” Charles propped himself on one arm and placed his hand on her mountainous stomach.
“Every minute of it. I was ordering sugar and coffee from the general store while Mama looked at yard goods, and you were asking about a rifle.” She laughed. “You nearly rubbed the finish off that Winchester.”
“But I bought it. You were wearing a blue bonnet and attempted to look like you weren’t watching me.”
Just how did he know she had to fight to keep from staring at him? “Now, Charles, that’s not true. You were pretending not to look at me.”
He shook his head as though she were a naughty child. “You’re right about me not being able to keep my eyes off you, and--Oh, I feel her kick. She’s a strong one.”
“You should feel him kick after midnight.”
Charles kissed her stomach. “I’d never seen a woman so pretty, and I vowed you wouldn’t leave the store until I learned your name.” He shooed away a honey bee buzzing over them. “I turned that rifle over and over in my hand until I heard the storekeep call you Sage. Most beautiful name I’d ever heard.”
“No one can say my name like you or make me as happy.”
More. I want more. How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://www.diannmills.com/
DiAnn, it's always a joy to host you on my blog.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you'll help support this blog.
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.
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Great interview. Would love to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fantastic. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered. Thanks!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Diann Mills is one of my "must read" authors and I have been anxiously awaiting this release. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win it!
sugarandgrits at hotmail dot com
Louisa May Alcott is one I would love to meet too, as she is one of my favorite childhood authors. I would like to read this book.
ReplyDeletejulesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow! This book sounds riviting. Please enter me.
ReplyDeletecoolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
Please count me in.
ReplyDeleteA Woman Called Sage sounds like another captivating story by DiAnn. I'd love a chance to win it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you for all the great comments! I loved writing Sage. She was the type of heroine who would not let me go! And there is a sequel. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I have not read any of Diann's books but have added her a new author.
ReplyDeleteAwesome giveaway. Pls enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
This book looks great, please enter me. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to read A Woman Called Sage. Please enter me into your giveaway & thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds great! Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteDiAnn is a busy lady. I wish I had the determination and perseverance to write like she does. Please sign me up.
ReplyDeleteDeborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com
Greetings,
ReplyDeleteAnother great book.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Have a super day.
Trinity Rose
Great interview. Would love to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering the book. I really enjoy DiAnn's books.
ReplyDeletewsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
Really enjoyed the interview. Always enjoy DiAnn's books. This was sounds like great one. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Sherry
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com
What a beautiful way to begin a Monday. I wish all of you could win! Sage is a sweet gal - tough too.
ReplyDeleteOk, now back to editing the sequel.
I am eager to read DiAnn's book! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!
ReplyDeletecjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
What a great title! Love it:)
ReplyDeletePlease enter me!
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
ReplyDeletewandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
This book looks wonderful, and the cover is lovely! Please enter me.
ReplyDeletekefarley89(@)gmail(.)com
This sounds like a very interesting read. I'd like to be included in this contest. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Wow. I'm hooked. As well as thrilled that DiAnn is speaking to our writer's group in less than two weeks. I'd love a copy of her book.
ReplyDeleteI love her books...please enter me.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net
Now this book sounds awesome, and I know that it will be, because all of DiAnn Mills' books always are. Glad for a chance to win A Woman Called Sage!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and the chance to win DiAnn's new book!
ReplyDeleteseizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow! Does this sound like a great read. DiAnn, I love your writing style. I accidentally came across one of your books a couple years ago and fell in love with your stories. You are now one of my favorite authors. Thank you for 3 things to help a writer become successful. I am a caregiver of a 15 year old girl who can write. She writes from her heart and God's heart. I will give her your advice as she wants to become a writer. Thank you and God bless!
ReplyDeleteMarla
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
Great post. Please enter me. I enjoy her reading.
ReplyDeletetarenn98[at]yahoo[dot[com
Ooh a female bounty hunter -- how fun!
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks for the time and effort that you put into these interviews & giveaways, Lena.
Meg
Thank you for sharing another great review.
ReplyDeletegahome2mom/at/gmail/do/com
It sounds like an amazing read!! Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDelete~Abby
abster . rose @ yahoo . com
please include me.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me.
ReplyDeleteWendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com
Louisa May Alcott was one of my favorites,too. PBS had a wonderful story about her life, recently. I learned things I never knew.
ReplyDeleteYou book sounds really good. I would love to read it.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I'd like to read this book. I've read other books by DiAnn and have enjoyed them. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDelete