Thursday, July 08, 2010

A HOPEFUL HEART - Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book

Welcome back, Kim. I've been hearing lots of good things about the new book. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

In August of 2008, my parents, husband, and I went on an Alaska cruise to celebrate my folks' 50th anniversary. While on the cruise ship, we met a woman who, upon learning we were from Kansas, said she'd spent a summer in Kansas at a herdsman school. She'd married a rancher, but he didn't have time to teach her ranching skills, so he sent her to herdsman school. I'd never heard of such a thing as a herdsman school, so the brief exchange stayed with me. Weeks later, I shared this tidbit with a group of writers, and one of them laughingly said it would be fun to use that premise in a mail-order brides type story--bring inept women from the east to learn ranching skills and then match them with western men. I love the idea!

You know I love mail-order bride stories. If you were planning a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Hm, I mostly read historical, but there are a handful of contemporary writers I admire for various reasons. I would invite Deborah Raney, Deborah Vogts, Brandilyn Collins, and Amy Wallace because they're women I enjoy spending time with but don't get the privilege often enough; and I would invite Angela Hunt and Jamie Langston Turner because their writing blows me away and I'd love to learn from them.

Now let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?

Oh, wow, limiting the guest list to 6 would be really tough... But I suppose I'd say Tracie Peterson so I could pick her brain--she's amazing brainstorming partner; Judy Miller--not only is she a great idea-generator; but she's downright funny, Miralee Ferrell--I love her giving heart and always enjoy time in her presence; Tamera Alexander--she's one of the sweetest ladies I know and she makes me smile; Lynn Austin--I'd like some of her amazing writing ability to rub off on me; and Lauraine Snelling, because I don't know her nearly as well as I'd like to.

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?

I am so blessed right now to be writing for two different markets--adult historical and young adult contemporary Mennonite-themed fiction. I love both, and I hope to be able to continue with both, but it is a real challenge to bounce from a modern day high school to an Athabascan Indian village in 1898 without getting whiplash!

Tell us about the featured book.

A Hopeful Heart tells the story of a young woman convinced she can have only a second-best life. But overcoming the challenges of a new faith and the hardships of life on the frontier may just prove that, for her, the very best is yet to come. The publisher's description follows:
Can she turn her second-best chance into a golden opportunity?

Dowryless and desperate, Tressa Neill applies to the inaugural class of Wyatt Herdsman School in Barnett, Kansas. The school's one-of-a-kind program teaches young women from the East the skills needed to become a rancher--or the wife of one. But will Tressa have what it takes to survive Hattie Wyatt's hands-on instruction in skills such as milking a cow, branding a calf, and cooking up a mess of grub for hungry ranch hands?

Abel Samms wants nothing to do with the passel of potential brides his neighbor brought to town. He was smitten with an eastern girl once--and he got his heart broken. But there's something about quiet Tressa and her bumbling ways that makes him take notice. When trouble strikes, will Abel risk his life--and his heart--to help this eastern girl?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The computer where I had the final edited draft saved crashed, and I don't have this. *sigh*

The story sounds intriguing anyway. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Please visit either (or both!) of my websites: www.KimVogelSawyer.com and http://www.katylambrightseries.com/ . I'd also love to see you at the blog I share with five other amazing Christian historical writers, http://www.writespassage.blogspot.com/ .

Thanks for letting me visit with you, Lena!

You are always welcome on my blog, Kim.

Readers, by using the following link when you order the book, 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.

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44 comments:

kathy taylor said...

A Hopeful Heart sounds just delicious! I'd like to read some of your books featuring Mennonites. Wonderful people; I attended elementary school with them. Kim, I think Hopeful Heart's a winner: herdsman school. We've got so much to learn.

Patsy said...

Love Kim's writings. I am a follower of hers. Would love to read this one.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

holdenj said...

A Hopeful Heart sounds like a really good story, thanks for the chance to win. I enjoyed Kim's story of the Alaska cruise and how she got an idea for a book!

Cindy said...

The book is on my reading list...so a chance to win it would be wonderful. I love reading your books Kim, can't wait to sink my teeth into this one.

Thanks for the chance to win.
Cindy

Diana Flowers said...

A wonderful writer as well as a wonderful person! I would love a chance to win a book! I never win anything. Well maybe once.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book it looks fantastic! I have read a few of Kims books and have loved them!
trishbazin@yahoo.com

Mimi_7 said...

I really enjoy your books and just bought A Hopeful Heart and can not wait to read it.. Thank you , Kim..

Deborah said...

I would love the chance to win! I just finished My Heart Remembers and pasted it on to a friend with the words "it was wonderful". I've just found Kim and I'm loving her.

Merry said...

A Hopeful Heart's Tressa sounds like such an interesting, spunky character. I'd love to win it. Thanks for a chance!

Anonymous said...

I love Kim's writing and would very much like to win A Hopeful Heart.
Kaye Whitney
kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

Elyssa said...

I'd love to read this book! It sounds great! Please enter me!

Katrina said...

I would love to read this one as well as sharing it with my mother and Granny!

Rhonda said...

Thanks for this post - I have enjoyed reading a couple of Kim's books already and thoroughly enjoyed them. Looking forward to more as I'm able. Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting plot!
Please enter me--thanks.
hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

The book sounds great!
Please enter me!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Coolestmommy said...

Please enter me to win. I so enjoy reading about the Mennonite culture.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Kim Vogel Sawyer said...

Hello, Lena! Thank you again for spotlighting A HOPEFUL HEART. I had such fun writing this book--and I truly hope readers will enjoy meeting Tressa, Aunt Hattie, Isabella-cat, Abel, and all the residents of Barnett. Good luck to everyone who has entered to win the book. :o)

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview. Would love to read this book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Pam Kellogg said...

I would love to win a copy of "A Hopeful Heart" to add to my collection of Kim Vogel Sawyer books!
Thanks.

Cindy W. said...

I love the cover art of A Hopeful Heart. It also sounds like a wonderful book to read. Please enter me into your giveaway.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Edna said...

Great sounding book I would love to win it.


mamat2730 at charter dot net

Anonymous said...

Kim is one of my most favorite authors....have read all her books so far and am very anxious to read this one. Please enter me! Thanks!!!
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Donna K. said...

Sounds like a great read! I'd love to be entered.

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

This sounds like a good book, and i would love to read it! please enter me

Rae Byuel

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a wonderful book.So does Tressa become a rancher or a rancher's wife?

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

ceemee said...

Seems like a great book to have, especially since it's about hope.

christienne[dot]raikielle[at]gmail[dot]com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like a lovely book, and I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Tammi said...

Kim is one of my favorite authors! Please enter me into the drawing for "A Hopeful Heart".

~Tammi

Wendy said...

I always enjoy Kim's books. Thanks for offering it.

Desiree said...

Hopeful Heart sounds like something I would enjoy! Thought the interview was very good. I like Kim very much!

grannyvon said...

I am 68 and when I was in the 6th grade a Mennonite minister started to coming to our little country school house.(back then there was one teacher for two grades) He came once a month and we received incentives for learning Bible verses. I learned the most and won a trip to a week at camp. I will never forget that. Can you imagine this happening today. Thats sad to me that most schools do not pray anymore for fear of going to jail. The Student Government President here is in charge of the welcome to the football games. This past year there was a moment of silence. I was told that the SG President said that was her preference instead of praying. When my granddaughter did it three years ago. She prayed before every game. Our football players still take the knee in a circle on the sidelines before a game and after the game anyone can come join them for prayer for the safe travel of the opposite teams players, no matter who wins. Lots of teams come join with them. The teachers and coach come and stand with them with out kneeing. We will probably be in a lawsuit before long even though we are a small town. The ACLU suied a small school just south of us for praying off school property but the coach prayed at the start of the meeting. The ACLU LOST. Well, I've said what I wanted too. and I look forward to reading...and winning this book. I love Kim's books! ybutler@oppcatv.com

Kristen said...

I love how story ideas come about. What a fantastic premise! Please enter me. I'd love to win this book:)

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me! The cover is really nice. I would love to read the book!

dancealert at aol dot com

JJ said...

This sounds like an important book to read for women. Thanks.

gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Patsy said...

Have read some of Kim's writings. Love her books. Would love to read this one.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jodie Wolfe said...

I always have been fascinated with the mail order bride time period. Sounds like a great book.

Blessings,
Jodie Wolfe
digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net

Bakersdozen said...

This books sounds like it would be fun to read. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carman said...

Plase enter me. :)

I love Kim's books. :D

booklovercb[at]yahoo.com

Lady Araujo said...

It sounds funny.
Please, enter me.

Carole said...

Kim is an author I can always cound on for an entertaining and inspirational read. Thank you for the interview and chance to win A Hopeful Heart.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Judylynn said...

Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

This sounds like a great book.
wmmahaney(At)att(dot)net

Marla said...

Would love to win this book. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com