Thursday, June 03, 2010

A MATTER OF CHARACTER - Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book

Welcome back, Robin. We're really liking this book series. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

For now, I see that I’ll be continuing to write historical romances. But I’ve lived long enough to know that the world can be turned on its ear in a flash.

Tell us a little about your family.

I’m the mother of two beautiful daughters, and a grandmother to six (three boys, three girls). The grandkids are very active in sports and drama, so it’s a treat to get to go to watch them in whatever activity they’re involved in at the time.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Yes, reading isn’t as easily enjoyed as it used to be. Non-fiction I’m always reading with an eye toward ideas. Fiction I’m always reading to learn more about the craft.

I'm the same. Sometimes, I just want to curl up with a book and get lost in it. What are you working on right now?

I’m in the early stages of a new historical romance that is set in Idaho during the latter half of the 19th century.

Sounds like a book I'd love. What outside interests do you have?

A couple of years ago, I took up knitting again after a 25 year break. And this year, I’ve stocked up on art supplies so I can fiddle around with painting again, something I did a lot of back in my 20’s.

Lately, I've been crocheting a lot, with a little knitting thrown in. How do you choose your settings for each book?
Almost all of my books are set in Idaho. I love sharing my favorite place in the world with others. The era changes, anywhere from the Civil War years up to present day, all depending upon the story that comes to me.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Without a doubt, Abraham Lincoln. He was an amazing man, as a lawyer, as a president, and as a Christian.

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

How to submit successfully to the larger New York publishers.

What new lesson is the Lord teaching you right now?

To “come away” with Him, to be still and know that He is God.

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

Read, read, read. Read everything. Newspapers, biographies, memoirs, fiction, magazines, blogs. Read, read, read.
Write, write, write. Thinking about writing doesn’t count. Write the very best book you are capable of writing today.

Find yourself a good agent, and don’t try to take shortcuts to publication.

I so agree. I've been saddened when I see a talented storyteller selfpublish a book before its time. Tell us about the featured book?

A MATTER OF CHARACTER is the third and final book in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series. Here’s the blurb:

Who says a woman can’t keep a secret?

It's 1918, and Daphne McKinley, heiress to a small fortune, has found contentment in the town of Bethlehem Springs. But Daphne has a secret.
A series of dime novels loosely based on local lore and featuring a nefarious villain known as Rawhide Rick has enjoyed modest popularity among readers. Nobody in Bethlehem Springs knows the man behind the stories … except Daphne.

When newspaperman Joshua Crawford comes to town searching for the man who sullied the good name of his grandfather, Daphne finds herself at a crossroads, reassessing the power of her words, re-thinking how best to honor her gifts, and reconsidering what she wants out of life.

Here's the trailer:



Please give us the first page of the book.

At the time I’m writing this, I don’t have a copy of the actual book or galleys, so this is probably two pages instead of one, but here goes:

Prologue
St. Louis, Missouri, August 1918

Propelled by a white hot fury, Joshua Crawford pushed open the door to Gregory Halifax’s office so hard it hit the wall with a loud wham. Startled, Gregory looked up a split second before Joshua slapped the newspaper onto the desk.

“What is this garbage?” Joshua demanded.

Gregory’s expression changed from one of surprise to a smirk. “So you read it.”

“Of course I read it, and I’m here to demand a retraction.”

“A retraction? For what?”

“For what you wrote about my grandfather.”

Gregory laughed softly. “You must be joking. The article is about dime novelists. The part about Richard Terrell was the words of the author, not mine.”

“But you made what Mr. Morgan wrote in his novels sound as if it was fact rather than fiction. It’s not.”

“How do you know it’s not? Tell me. What do you know about your grandfather before he settled in St. Louis? Nothing, that’s what. You’ve said so yourself.”

“Did you contact anyone in Idaho to try to confirm that the character in Morgan’s books is based on the real Richard Terrell?"

“I didn’t need to. I interviewed the publishers for my story. And again, the focus of my article is the men who write dime novels, not on the characters found in their books.”

“But in the process you’ve dragged my grandfather’s good name through the mud. I want a retraction.”

Gregory pushed back his chair and stood, the smile gone from his face. “When you prove anything I wrote is in error, then come see me again, and we’ll have this discussion. Until then, get out.”

For one moment, Joshua thought he might be able to control his temper. For one very brief moment—just before he caught Gregory’s jaw with a right hook followed by a left jab to the gut. Gregory flew backward into the wall. The glass in the office door rattled again. Joshua readied himself for the other man to fight back. To his dissatisfaction, it didn’t happen. Gregory’s eyes were still unfocused when more men poured into the office and grabbed Joshua by the arms, hauling him away. One of the men was Joshua’s boss, Langston Lee.

“You’re fired, Crawford. Collect your things and get out. I won’t have my reporters brawling. You hear me. Get out or I’ll call the police.”

Joshua longed to turn his rage onto his boss, to give Langston Lee a little of what he’d already given Gregory Halifax. But he had enough good sense left to resist the urge. He was already out of a job. He didn’t want to spend time in a jail cell besides.

But so help him, he would get a retraction out of this newspaper. He would prove Gregory Halifax was a shoddy reporter and see that he was fired. He would hear Langston Lee apologize. And he would make certain D. B. Morgan never again maligned his grandfather in print.

This wasn’t over yet.

What a wonderful hook! How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/
My blog: http://robinlee.typepad.com/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher

Robin, thank you for once again sharing your life and your book with us.

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














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (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 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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40 comments:

Cindy W. said...

I haven't had the opportunity to read any of Robin's books yet but I have heard awesome things about them. I would love to win a copy of A Matter of Character. Thank you for the opportunity.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Merry said...

I've really enjoyed Robin's series and can't wait to read Daphne's story. Words are so powerful! Thanks for a chance to win, Lena.

Coolestmommy said...

Love Robin's books and have several on my shelves. Please enter me to win.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Wendy said...

Good series - I enjoy her books.

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

The storyline in this book sounds so delightful and I would really like to win and read this book.
I really like reading Christian
Fiction books.
A super giveaway.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

grannyvon said...

I didn't read the first two but this souunds like it will stand alone. If I win it I will probably buuy the first two to go with it anyway. Thanks for the chance to WIN! ybutler@oppcatv.com

Robin Lee Hatcher said...

Hello, everyone. So glad you enjoyed the post, and I wish everyone good luck in the drawing.

I didn't mention in my interview with Lena about the awesome contest going on at robinleehatcher.com. Zondervan and I are giving away three Amazon Kindles, pre-loaded with A Matter of Character. All you need to do is nominate a person of noble character, tell your friends about the contest to get even more entries in the drawing, and finally, use the form to notify your nominee about it. You could win a Kindle and your nominee could win the entire Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series, autographed to them.

Robin

Katy said...

I keep seeing this one pop up on book blogs & I so want to read it! :D

runner10 said...

Sounds like a great book.

fredamans said...

Thank you for the chance at winning!

PatriciaW said...

I love that Robin writes historicals set in America. I'm fascinated by the time periods she explores.

pwriter1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

collettakay said...

I'm really looking forward to reading this book!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Please include me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

The Herd said...

I admire Robin as an author! I have personally seen her be a great example. I would love her new book!

debbie said...

It sounds really good, I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

I enjoy Robin's books, and I'd love to read this one to. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

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

Please enter me!


Rae
raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please put my name in the hat! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love her books...please enter me! Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Ashley (Ibreath2read) said...

I've heard some great things about this book. And I just love the cover. So cute!
I would love to enter this giveaway.Thanks so much for this chance to win another great book.
Love Ya,
Ashley

misskallie2000 said...

I have not read any of Robin's books but they sound like the type book I would love to read.
Thanks for stopping by to chat and the interview was great.
I have added Robin to my new author list and her book to my wish list.


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Mimi N said...

I love that she puts her settings in Idaho. It's beautiful country. Not being a writer, I find it intersting that she'd have liked to understand how to submit to NY. I'd love the chance to win this book!
~Mimi
mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Carole said...

I enjoy Robin's historical fiction and look forward to even more in the future. And I like Robin's choice of Abraham Lincoln as someone to spend time with. He is a man I greatly respect.

Thank you for the interview and chance to win a copy of "A Matter of Character."

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Michelle said...

Thank you for entering me! I'd love to read this book.

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Mark said...

enter me, please

Kristen said...

What a fun cover!
Please enter me:)

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Would love to read the book, the cover art is great!

dancealert at aol dot com

Megan (Inspired by Fiction) said...

I enjoyed the first one in this series, A Vote of Confidence! Looking forward to the second and third!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this drawing.

pattihayes@bellsouth.net

holdenj said...

Please count me in, this looks like a good story.
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Naasom André said...

Wow!! Sounds like a great book. I'd like win a copy. Please enter me!
Thank you.

letrassantas [at] hotmail [dot] com

Katie said...

It's been a while since I've read anything by Hatcher, but what I have read, I've absolutely loved! Would love a chance at this one!

kateh12783@hotmail.com

2boyzmommy said...

I've read some of Robin's books before ~ very good and this one peaks my interest.

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

I'd love to enter the contest!! This series looks sooo good! Thank you!

Marla said...

I haven't read one of Robin's book that I have not liked. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.

Sarah said...

I love Robin's books and would love to read this one. Please enter me in the drawing.