Monday, April 18, 2011

TENNESSES BRIDES - Aaron McCarver and Diane Ashley - Free Book

Welcome, Aaron and Diane, I was so happy when y'all sold this series. I know that this is a collaboration. How did this story come about?

Tennessee Brides is a 3-in-1 collection of our three historical Heartsong Presents novels set in Tennessee. These stories came as a result of hearing that Barbour was looking for a series of this type set in Tennessee and my (Aaron) love of Tennessee history, as I grew up in the state. I asked Diane if she wanted to collaborate on the series and she agreed. We then picked three historical events from the nineteenth century—the War of 1812 and the rise of Andrew Jackson, the Cherokee Trail of Tears, and the Civil War—and crafted three stories around these events using three generations of one family.

I know I'm going to enjoy reading them. Did you find it easy to work together on it?

The only way to answer that is with a resounding YES!!! In fact, we loved it so much that we proposed a series for Heartsong Presents set in Mississippi. We got that contract and those books are releasing now. We continue to love working together still. We have signed with the same agent and have signed with Barbour to write a series of full-length novels.

I want to feature the 3-in-1 on Mississippi as well as the full-length novels. Be sure to contact me when you have the pub dates on each. How did collaborating with this team impact you?

It has changed our writing careers. We have had success as a team and thank God daily for putting us together. We both cannot imagine doing it another way now.

What is the hardest thing about writing as a team?

Honestly, we have not found anything to be hard. We gel so well, pardon the rhyme, the collaboration makes everything easier.

What are you reading right now?

I (Aaron) also work as an editor for Barbour, so I am reading a book that will release in September. I (Diane) just finished Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin, a wonderful book.

How did you choose your characters’ names?

For our main characters, we try to choose names that would have been used in the times our books are set so we use a lot of names found in the Bible or names that have been around a long time. One main character, Iris, got her name based on the state flower of Tennessee. As for secondary characters, we each name some based on people we know and love.

Would you want to work on another book together?

Most definitely!

What do you want to tell us about the book?

We loved telling these stories, and we hope our readers enjoy them, too. We work really hard at our writing, but the things we care about the most are our messages. We want, most of all, to touch people for our Lord, as anything not for Him has no real meaning. Also, we work hard to get the history right. So, we hope our readers can learn a little about this country’s great spiritual and historical heritage, and in this case specifically for the state of Tennessee.

Where can our readers find you on the Internet?

The best place to begin for both of us would be at our agent’s site, stevelaube.com. (Steve is a superb agent, by the way.) Or find us at fictionfinder.com. Diane has a site at dianeashleybooks.com.

What a delight to have both of you on my blog. We'll do this again, for sure.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.



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 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

45 comments:

Lorna Faith said...

How great to be able to collaborate on books as a team...wow that's awesome:)
Would love to be entered for a chance to win your book:)

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

windycindy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
windycindy said...

Interesting team effort and I love the era and place settings...
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Illinois

Aaron McCarver said...

Hello, Lorna. It is great to be able to collaborate with someone as talented as Diane! And, Cindi, I love the time period and setting, too! I tend toward the history of the East over the history of the West. Lena, thanks so much for having us today!

Lisa said...

Wow.... Aaron and Diane is tearing up the christian romance novels again. You guys are awesome! I am so blessed to know both of you and the way it looks, you guys will soon need a scheduler. Let me know.... Much love.

Diane Ashley said...

Hi Lorna and Cindi, Thanks so much for taking the time to read our interview. Aaron and I sort of fell into collaborating. I won't bore you with the details, but it was definitely a "God-thing." Although historicals may not be my first choice to read, I do enjoy the research. One of these days I hope we'll have a chance to write something in another genre but for now I am very happy to be writing and selling.

Diane Ashley said...

Thanks, Lisa. You'll be our first choice, but for now you probably ought to keep your day job.

Erica Vetsch said...

I love Diane and Aaron's work! And Aaron is the BEST copy editor ever! He's worked on every single one of my books. Imploding anachronisms is his superpower!

Debby Mayne said...

I've always enjoyed reading books by the Diane/Aaron team! Your love for storytelling shows! Congrats once again!

Janet Lee Barton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janet Lee Barton said...

Great interview, Aaron and Diane! I love that you two love writing together and have been so sucessful at it! Thanks for sharing with us!

Rhonda Gibson said...

Great interview and it's wonderful to see you here Aaron and Diane! I love you both and am so happy to see your careers grow. I love the cover of this book!!

apple blossom said...

oh, yes, please include me in this book giveaway. thanks
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Lenora said...

I am so happy for Aaron and Diane! They have been friends and encouragers to me for many years. I hope I win that boook! Sounds lovely! Very proud of the hard work I know you two put into this book and I hope you have many more stories to tell!

Cynthia Leavelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cynthia Leavelle said...

This book has a beautiful cover. Thanks for writing an historically accurate and Christian view of Tennessee at this time.

Aaron McCarver said...

Thanks so much, Janet Lee, Rhonda, and Cythina, some of our precious fellow Bards. Thank you, Erica. You make it very easy to edit with your SUPERB writing. (Everyone watch out for Erica!) And, Debby, you have been so supportive always. Thank you, Lenora, but you have been the true encourager. Thank you, Lisa. Diane speaks so highly of you always and I am enjoying getting to know you, too. Thank you, Judylynn (from my home state), Apple Blossom, and Linda for stopping by today. Good luck, everyone.

Connie Stevens said...

Fun interview Aaron and Diane. I've already read all three of the Tennessee stories before they were repackaged, and enjoyed them. They are wonderful stories with a distinctly southern flavor.

Sarah Bailey said...

I really like your books, because not only do you write good, but I love to read about that era. I think it would have been neat to have lived during that time. Keep up the good work.

Sarah from Florence, MS

sarahbbailey@aol.com

Joy Griffith said...

Hello, Diane and Aaron! I enjoyed this interview so much!

Kelly Hake said...

It's rare to be able to write as a team, and even more rare to have the male/female input for a romance! You two have so much to draw from :). Gorgeous cover, too!

Aaron McCarver said...

Hello, Joy and Sarah, the two I sit between in Sunday school, when I'm not teaching that is. Thank you both so much. Thank you, Connie. Another new author to watch! And Kelly, a wonderful true friend! Thank you for all of your support.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. I live close to TN. Love the cover. Allie from Kentucky

Sandra Robbins said...

I enjoyed reading this interview of two of my favorite people. I, too, was once a Tennessee bride, but not during the time your books are set. Thank you for writing about the historical and religious heritage of the state I love.

BTW, congratulations on the full-length novels from Barbour. I'm so excited for you. Hope to see you in St. Louis.

Sandra Robbins

Anonymous said...

Well said! Thanks for the article. I love the writings of McCarver & Ashley! Looking forward to reading the books about Mississippi.
Brenda Lulu Birdwell
Marthaville, LA

Anne Payne said...

Growing up I lived on a mountaintop in western NC and we could see the beautiful mountains in Tennessee! It's truly a lovely state. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.

Anne, rural NC

karenk said...

thanks for the opportunity to read this beautiful book :)

karenk (from PA)
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Coolestmommy said...

Looks like you two make a terrific writing duo. Can't wait to read all three stories!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Patsy said...

This book looks really good. Count me in. Woud love to read it.
From the Bible Belt

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

kylady717 said...

Wow ! this sounds like a wonderful book, and I really want to win this one.....

Mona G./Ohio

Diane Ashley said...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by. I wish I could send you all a copy of our books. It is so wonderful to make contact with people--those who are already close friends and those whom we hope to meet in the future. Good luck on the drawing. Thanks again, Lena, for hosting us.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest, I would love to have this book, it sounds wonderful...

Angela C./Ohio

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest to win this book...Thanks

Shirley T./ Illinois

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest to win this book...Thanks

Shirley T./ Illinois

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest to win this book...Thanks

Shirley T./ Illinois

Abigail Mitchell said...

Please enter me in the contest.
This looks like a wonderful book.
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

scottsgal said...

sounds like a wonderful book - I enjoy this era
msboatgal at aol.com
illinois

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I absolutely love books about brides! I've read many books based in other states and brides, always fun to read.Please enter me!
I'm a follower from Michigan.

dancealert at aol dot com

Judy Cooper said...

The subjects of these books are just the kind of books I enjoy. I especially like stories that follow families throughout generations. I'm Judy C. from Louisiana. Thanks for the chance to win.

rbooth43 said...

I love reading the historical Heartsong Presents novels and Tennesses Brides sounds like another great read. Christian romance novels are the best reads.
Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

Oh I love the cover of Tennessee Brides! I find I'm enjoying books that authors collaborate on. Would love to be entered to win a copy!

Smiles,
Cindy W. from Indiana

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

amber said...

Oh, I want to win this! I live in TN so maybe I'm a little biased : )

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com in TN

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Aaron and Diane, I can't wait to read your book. I am a Southerner and love to read books about the old South.. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
Thanks Lena, for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

peachykath said...

Books that are a collaberation are always really interesting to me and reading about a family that spans generations makes me feel like I am actually part of the family. Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to read this book.

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

I'm Katherine from Northern California

Bakersdozen said...

I love that both authors can work so well together. I really want to read this. I live in S. California.