I was about nine years old and had been listening to my Sunday school teacher talk about having Jesus in our hearts. During church, I told my mother I wanted to have Jesus in my heart. She said I had to wait. I wasn’t old enough. That did it. I pushed her aside and walked down that aisle and told the preacher I wanted Jesus to live in my heart. I was baptized several weeks later.
Oh, Martha, I had the same thing happen to me, but I was six years old when they told me I was too young. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Janice Thompson, Kathleen Y’Barbo, DiAnn Mills, and Linda Kozar. They have been my inspiration and encouragement through these past few years and even before.
Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I really enjoy speaking to writing groups and have done that in Texas and Oklahoma . My first love is speaking to women’s groups for retreats, book clubs, luncheons, or dinners. My topics are on my website. I’m developing some topics for college and high school students. I spoke to two such groups last year and thoroughly enjoyed both.
I have a fun booking this month—a book club in east Texas . What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I’ve forgotten about most of them and only one really stands out in my mind and it happened when I was sixteen. I’d just had my sixteenth birthday and my dad arranged tickets to a musical at the summer musical theater at Dallas ’ Fair Park theatre. I was so proud to be dressed up and have my dad for a date. As we were walking down the aisle to our seats, the waistband of one of my many petticoats snapped and fell to the carpet. With my cheeks flaming, I stepped out of it, and my dad picked it up and wadded it up. He held on to it all during the performance.
People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
Don’t just say you are, do it. Then I’d give them a list of things to help them like joining writers’ groups and going to conferences.
Summer Dream came about when I read about a great blizzard in 1888. It was called “The Great White Hurricane” and shut down New England . That fascinated me and I decided I had to incorporate it into one of my books.
Please give us the first page of the book.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Chapter One
February 5, 1888
Why did Papa have to be so stubborn? Rachel Winston stared at the gray clouds outside her window and fought the urge to stomp her foot like a spoiled child. However, young women of twenty years must behave as befitting their age, as Mama so often reminded her. Perhaps she should have shown the letter to her mother first. Too late for that now; Papa would tell Mama as soon as he had the opportunity.
The back door closed with a thud, and Rachel shuddered. Papa had left for the church. His departing meant she needed to finish dressing or she’d be late, and then Papa would be even more upset with her. It wouldn’t do for the preacher’s family to be late for the services.
The paper in her pocket crackled when she moved toward the bed to retrieve her boots. Rachel fingered the crumpled edges of Aunt Mabel’s letter. No need to read it, for she knew the words by heart. Her aunt’s invitation to come to Boston for an extended visit had arrived at a most inopportune time with the winter weather in the northern states at its worst. Even so, she shared the letter with Papa hoping he might be agreeable to the visit.
A metallic taste soured her mouth, and she swallowed hard in an attempt to squelch it. Papa argued that the unpredictable weather of February made travel from Connecticut to Boston dangerous. If only one of the many Boston trains came to Briar Ridge. Aunt Mabel meant well, but her timing left something to be desired. Papa didn’t even want her going to Hartford or Manchester to board a train. It took over three hours by horseback to make the journey to Hartford —longer in bad weather.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I loved having you with us again, Martha.
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
33 comments:
Thank you for the chance to win this book.
I am grateful.
Charlotte Kay, Ohio
Martha, that took a lot of courage for you to step up for Jesus at nine years old. Both my girls were around that age when they excepted Christ. I didn't try to talk them out of it either. I would not want to discourage anyone from that joy.
Your book sounds great! Would enjoy reading it.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Hi Martha,
Your book sounds intriguing. I had read of the effects of the weather out West during the winter of 1888 but did not think that the east coast would also be affected by that severe winter.
Thanks for the opportunity to win your book.
A J Hawke
Texas
Enjoyed the interview. Thank you for the offer of the book. I enjoy reading about the late 1800's/early 1900's.
Blessings,
Jo - Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Looks like a good read.
Wendy
Buffalo, MN
Thanks Lena and Martha for a great post and giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win this book. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot[com from Peace River Country, Alberta
I would love to win a copy of this book.
angela
from
ky
I'd not heard of the Great White Hurricane, but it sounds like a great premise for a story! Please enter this gal from Ontario, Canada. Thank you!
I read "The Children's Blizzard" by David Laskin. It's nonfiction about a blizzard in 1888 on the American plains. Maybe it was the same blizzard, I'm not sure. Regardless, it would nice to read a fictional account. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Looks like a great book! I just finished reading her Winds Across the Prairie series and can't wait to read this series!
Please enter me! I'm from NY. =)
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Awesome giveaway! This looks like a great read.
jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
NY
Please enter me! This looks like a great book!
thejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com
NY!
I'd love to read this - love this time period for stories
msboatgal at aol.com
cheryl in IL
Thank you so much for the chance to win this awesome book. It looks great. Thanks again.
I am from Oklahoma.
agent_beckster (at) yahoo (dot) com
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story...
karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Please enter me...would love to read this book!
dianalflowers@aol.com
SC
This book sounds so good. I would love to win a copy of it. Martha is a new author to me and I'm looking forward to reading her books.
Thanks!
judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com
The first page of this book really drew me in. I would love to be entered in the drawing for this book. Thank you
peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com
Katherine from Northern California
please enter me thanks
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I definitely want to read this book.
Enter me in the contest.
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.
I will definitely take this book if I win it :) sounds great...
Miss Mona/Oh
This sounds like a great book, sorry haven't read any of your books, but would love to.....
S.T./Illinois
Would love to win!
Sarah from Oklahoma
I would love to read Summer Dream Martha. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
Lena, please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I live in Middle Georgia
I have read most of Martha's books and would love to read this one! Thanks!
dianalflowers@aol.com
South Carolina
Would love to win this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kari in Oregon
Summer Dream sounds great, I'd love to win Martha's newest book. Thanks for a chance!
Merry in TX
I would love to read this book. Please enter me!
Krista from Gresham, OR
I loved Matha's salvation experience! Thanks for a great interview. Martha is a new author to me and I'd love to win a copy of "Summer Dream". Thanks for the chance to do so.
Judy from IN
I think this is a good idea for a story. I would love to read it. I live in S. CA.
I love your desire to have Jesus!!! Good for you!
The book sounds like another fantastic read, please enter me.
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of Martha's books!
dianalflowers@aol.com
SC
Post a Comment