TO WIN HER HEART - Karen Witemeyer - Free Book

Author Bio:

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul. Her debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride, recently claimed honorable mention in the 2010 Best Western Romance contest. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children.

God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

It still amazes to me to think that I am a multipublished author. I thought the newness would wear off, but the thrill returns each time a new book releases. I recently signed another three-book deal with Bethany House, so I will continue to write historical romance for them—one book a year, which is a pace that suits me since I work full-time and have three school-aged kids at home. My dream is to continue writing my passion, historical romance, for Bethany. They have been a wonderful publisher to partner with, and I couldn't be happier.

Tell us a little about your family.

I met my husband, Wes, in college. He's the Texan that roped this California gal into leaving the beaches and mountains behind for a rugged landscape of scrubby mesquite and glorious sunsets. He's a wonderful supporter of my work and word-of-mouth marketer even though he's never read more than the dedication page of my first novel. He's a sci-fi guy and has no interest in romance novels, but I love him anyway.

We have three children, a daughter and two sons. My daughter is twelve and is just old enough to enjoy reading Mom's books. She is an avid reader, and I manage to sneak a few classics like the Anne of Green Gables and Black Stallion series into her steady literary diet of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson's Olympians. My sons are ten and eight and are video gamers like their daddy. They enjoy soccer and baseball and anything Star Wars.

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

My writing has only reinforced my reading habits. I write historical romance because that is all I ever read. It is my favorite genre, and even before I started writing, it dominated my TBR pile. I love escaping into the past with a strong hero and a feisty heroine. The only thing that has truly changed about my reading habits is that now I will occasionally pick up a book on writing craft and add that to the mix. My pleasure reading, though, has remained the same.

What are you working on right now?

I'm currently working on my fourth historical romance for Bethany House. The working title is Short-Straw Bride. Four brothers draw straws to see who will marry the heroine in this twist on a marriage of convenience story. All Travis Archer has ever cared about is his brothers and his land. But when a good deed goes awry, he’s stuck with a bride who endangers both.

One fun tidbit about the brothers in this story – they are all named for heroes from the Alamo. Travis is the main character, the next oldest is Crockett, the kid brother is Neill (for the Alamo's commander who missed being at the fight because of a family illness that called him away), and the third brother's given name is Bowie, but he refuses to answer to anything except Jim. I don't blame him. Poor guy. What we authors do to torture our characters.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to cross-stitch. If you look around my house, you will find many pieces adorning the walls. It's relaxing and a fun, creative outlet that makes me feel artistic even if all I'm doing, really, is following a pattern. Watching the picture take shape is much like watching a novel come together, and I get the same sense of satisfaction when the piece is completed.
  

I also enjoy singing with my church, teaching ladies Bible class, and watching my kids in whatever sport or musical pursuit they are engaged in. Sitting back and getting lost in a good movie is also a favorite way to unwind.

I love most all kinds of handcrafts. My daughter did me a cross-stitch angel for Christmas one year. I tried my hand at making a different style one. Hers is even, mine not so much. I don't like to do all the counting while I work. How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far, all of my settings have been in Texas. Since I live here and have access to much first-hand research, it works well for me. Also, Texas is such a large place, there are a wide variety of landscapes to choose from. Though, I must admit the eastern and southern sections are prettier, so I tend to veer in that direction even though I live in what is considered West Texas. 

The characters and plot really come into play when I choose a setting. For example, in Head in the Clouds, I needed a sheep ranch for my Englishman hero, so I chose a fictional ranch in Menard County, in the heart of sheep country.

In my current release, To Win Her Heart, I created a fictional town loosely based on the history of the real town of Marquez in Leon County, TX. Marquez sprouted up in 1871 along the International-Great Northern railroad line and was named in honor of María de la Marquez who owned the land grant on which the town was platted. In similar style, my fictional town of Spencer was named for the town founder, Calvin Spencer, whose daughter decided to make her home there after a scandal drove her away from the family's primary residence in Austin. This location was relatively close to Huntsville, where my hero had been incarcerated, so that fit as well. There was also evidence of limestone quarries in the region, and I knew I needed a quarry for one of the pivotal scenes in the book. All in all, it was the right size town, in the right place, at the right time.

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

Abraham Lincoln. The man was such a humble, godly leader. I would love to benefit from his wisdom. 

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

I can't seem to settle on any one thing. Somehow, I think that if I had known information about the outcome of my journey or been aware of certain skills that would need to be gained, I wouldn't have continued along the writing path. I would have either grown lazy and self-assured that all would work out well, or I would have agonized over how little I truly understood about fiction writing and marketing, growing disheartened until I gave up. I think the Lord knows just how much to reveal to us to keep us going—not too much, not too little.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

It seems that the underlying themes of my stories always consist of lessons I need to learn. In my current project, my hero and his brothers have secluded themselves from the rest of the world on their ranch. This was born out of necessity for their protection when they were too young to stand on their own among ruthless men. However, it became a habit that now keeps them from ministering to their neighbors or others in need. When the heroine comes on the scene, the Lord compels her to help these men get out of their rut and become more hospitable.

Hospitality is something I struggle with. I am comfortable with my family and close friends, and feel little need to reach farther than that immediate sphere. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know more than one or two families who live on my street. I rationalize about how little time I have and how busy I am, and my inward focus becomes habit. We are called to be Good Samaritans, to welcome strangers and entertain angels. I might not live in physical seclusion, but I struggle with involving myself in the lives of others. As I write this story, I feel the Lord tugging on my sleeve and reminding me to "look not only to [my] own interests, but also to the interests of others."

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

Master the fiction-writing craft.

Writes stories you would love to read.

Have a humble, teachable spirit and follow where God leads.

Tell us about the featured book.

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets. . . .

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

Since I love your writing, I know I want to read this book. Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

Spencer, Texas - 1887

After two years, they finally cut him loose. Gave him a new suit of clothes and everything. Funny, though. The shame of the convict stripes still clung to him, as if they had been tattooed horizontally across his skin. Levi Grant rolled his shoulders under the slightly-too-tight coat he'd been issued and wondered how long it would take to get re-accustomed to civilian clothes.

Or to get the smell of turnips out of them.

A farmer had let him ride in his wagon bed for the last ten miles or so of his journey from Huntsville. Levi's feet had welcomed the respite, but now, standing outside the parson's small, box-shaped house, second thoughts needled him.

His future hinged on making a good impression. The Bible and recommendation letter in his knapsack fueled his hope, but his past dragged behind him like the lead ball that used to be shackled to his leg. The Father might have forgiven his prodigal ways, but the world was full of parabolic older brothers who would either resent the second chance he'd been given or condemn him outright. Not that he would blame them. Christian charity could only be expected to stretch so far.

A gust of cool, February wind jarred him from his thoughts and pushed him forward. The Lord had led him here. The least Levi could do was knock on the door.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I'd love to have you visit me at my website: www.karenwitemeyer.com. I host a monthly giveaway of historical Christian novels from a variety of well-known authors as well as post interesting tidbits about my characters and the research behind their stories.

You can also find me on Facebook. Send me a message sometime. I'd be honored to chat with you.

Thank you, Karen, for the interesting visit with you.

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