Monday, August 22, 2011

BELONGING - Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book


What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I suppose the one theme that is woven through all of my books is God’s grace. I have been such a recipient of it just flows out of me naturally, no matter what else the story is about. Themes that are more specific to individual books are usually direct results of what God has recently taught me or is currently teaching me as I write. I am often not aware of a book’s theme until I’m done writing it.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
I’m delighted to announce that a number of my older titles that have been out of print for some time are now or will soon be available in digital editions (Kindle, Nook, iBook, etc.).

Firstborn, Greenbrier Publishing (originally from Tyndale)
Beyond the Shadows, Greenbrier Publishing (originally from Tyndale)
The Forgiving Hour, Zondervan (originally from WaterBrook)
Whispers from Yesterday, Zondervan (originally from WaterBrook)
The Shepherd’s Voice, Zondervan (originally from WaterBrook)

In addition, I have a new historical romance coming out from Women of Faith Fiction in February 2012 called Heart of Gold. The setting is in an Idaho gold camp during the Civil War.

A really good lineup of things to read. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Beth Moore. I love her teaching style, and I think it would be great fun to sit with her and just talk about the Lord and all He has done in our lives.

I've been in the studio audience when she and her husband were on the James Robison show. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
Abraham Lincoln. The more biographies and histories I’ve read about him, the more I’ve come to admire him.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
Publishing is a business of rejection, so first of all I would say, get used to it. Second, if you feel that God has called you to write, then write. There may be other reasons than being published for that call. Obedience is more important than anything else. Write and leave the results in His hands.

I so agree with you on that, Robin. Tell us about the featured book.
Belonging is the first book in the Where The Heart Lives series. The series will follow the adult lives of three orphans who were sent west on an orphan train as they seek to reunite with their siblings.

Here’s the blurb for Belonging:

Can two bitter pasts make one sweet future?
In the high desert town of Frenchman’s Bluff, Idaho, Felicia Kristoffersen has set out to create a future for herself that is better than her painful past. Alone in the world with only her faith to sustain her, she must prove herself as this tiny community’s new school teacher. She cannot, must not, fail. But there are those who never wanted her there to begin with.
Five years after the death of his wife, local merchant Colin Murphy cares about just one thing: raising his daughter, Charity. Colin wants to give her the educational advantages he never had. The new schoolmarm’s inexperience doesn’t sit well with him, and if this teacher up and marries like the last one did, Charity’s heart will be broken once again.
A woman who hasn’t known love. A man who lost the love he had.
In the midst of the wide, sage-covered plains, each is about to discover that life’s bitterest circumstances truly can work together for good.
Sounds like a book I could really get into. Please give us the first page of the book.

Since I don’t have a copy of the book as I answer this, I don’t know how much is the first page. This may be more like two pages:

PROLOGUE
Chicago, Illinois, January 1881
Icy tentacles reached through the thin walls of the tenement building where Elethea Brennan lay dying, her three children standing at her bedside. There was Hugh, thirteen and the only boy, as handsome as his father ever was, with his dark hair and eyes. Next to him was ten-year-old Felicia, the quiet bookish Brennan, her blue eyes seeming to understand far too much. And next to her was Diana, at six, the youngest, and the only one to inherit her mother’s red hair and green eyes.
Oh, how she loved them, these three. Loved them more than she’d ever thought possible when she married Sweeney Brennan and came with him to Chicago to build a new life. How she hated to leave them. She was ready for heaven, but it broke her heart all the same to say goodbye to the ones who’d made life worth living.
It took enormous effort, but somehow she managed to lift her left arm and take hold of her son’s hand. “Promise … me.”
Hugh, still a boy but with the suggestion of manhood on his beloved face, leaned close. “Promise what, Mum?”
“See … Dr. Cray … Leave … Chicago.”
“Where should we go?”
“Away.”
“What about Dad?”
She closed her eyes but didn’t release his hand. How did a mother tell a boy of thirteen that his father would never return to them, that his father loved his whiskey more than his wife or his son and daughters? But she didn’t have to tell him. Hugh was a bright boy. He knew the truth, even if he didn’t want to accept it.
Elethea wanted a better life for her children. Perhaps her death could give them one. Dr. Cray had explained to her how poor and orphaned children of Chicago were being placed with families in the West, families who promised to care for them and love them and even to see that they were educated. There was little hope for the likes of Sweeney Brennan’s offspring in Chicago. Here, they were just three more street urchins who would soon be completely alone in the world.
“Promise … me … Hugh,” she whispered.
“I promise, Mum. I promise I’ll go to Dr. Cray.”
Drawing a deep breath, she forced her eyes open one last time and drank in the beauty of her children. It mattered not that they were dressed in tattered, worn clothes or that their faces could use a good washing. They were beautiful and perfect to their mother.
The darkness that had lingered around the edges of the room began to close in.
“Don’t ever … be forgettin’ … that I … love you … me dear ones.”
I know I’ll love it. Can’t wait to hold it in my hands and dive in. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My Twitter Profile is: http://twitter.com/#!/robinleehatcher


It's always a pleasure to have you stop by my blog, Robin. Thank you.


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 4 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

41 comments:

Rebecca said...

I would love to win this. This looks like an amazing book. Thanks for the chance to win this.

I am from Oklahoma.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a BIG Fan of Robin's and would love to win a copy of "Belonging" Thank You for the chance.
angela from KY

Tammi said...

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors. Please enter my name into the "hat" for Belonging.

Thank you,
~Tammi in Maine

dandtdearing [at] earthlink [dot] net

Unknown said...

i love Robin Lee Hatcher novels, and enjoyed the interview. Thanks Lena and Robin for that and the chance to win this book. mitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

ZachandZoesMom said...

This book sounds so interesting! I can't wait to read it! :)



ZachandZoesMom@att.net

Judy said...

Great interview with Robin! I love getting to know new authors. I am looking forward to reading this book.

I'd love to win a copy of "Belonging". Thanks for this giveaway.

Blessings,
Judy B from Indiana

Patsy said...

I love Robin's writing. I have read several of her books and they are all great. We have a lot of her books in our church library. Would love to read Belonging.
from:Mississippi

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Lorna Faith said...

Robin I love your books:) You bring such depth to your characters...you are definitely one of my favorite authors:)
I would love to be entered for a chance to win "Belonging."

Lorna from Cochrane, Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book! I taught 5th grade for a year, and I have great respect for the teachers who presided over one-room schoolhouses. I'd love to win this book!

Sara from VA

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

Nancye in KY

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Ingrid said...

This is a book that I would love to read, I also enjoyed the Interview.
Thanks
Ingrid from Illinois
ingrids62448@yahoo.com

Cyndi said...

I've read several of Robin's books and love them! And I just love her characters and the message she weaves into the story!

Cyndi in AL

Robin Lee Hatcher said...

Hello, all. Thanks so much for leaving your comments. I'm delighted to see so many in the list who have enjoyed previous books of mine and hope everyone will enjoy books of mine in the future. Belonging has received some terrific reviews (including a starred one from Library Journal) and beautiful endorsements from writers I admire (Liz Curtis Higgs and Tamera Alexander). That kind of reception is always sweet as a new book launches out into the big, bad world. {{grin}}

Pam K. said...

The book begins in such a sad way! I'd like to read more to find out what happens to the children. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of "Belonging."

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Anonymous said...

I think I'd really enjoy reading this book - Thanks for the post.
Linda from Kentucky

Patty said...

I've read several of Robin's books. Would love to win this first in a series!

Patty from SC

Beth Reinke said...

What a heart-wrenching opening that draws the reader in. You're truly a gifted writer!

Beth from PA
rdwriter(at)hotmail(dot)com

apple blossom said...

Would love to win thanks
I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Jo said...

Please enter me. I would love to read this book.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Krista said...

I absolutely love Robin's books... Please enter me to win this!

Krista from Gresham, OR

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks very interesting.
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Ingrid said...

I always liked Robins books, thanks for the Interview.
I would love to be in the contest.
Thanks

I am from Illinois

ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ms. Mona said...

This book sounds so good, would love to win it....Ms. Mona/Ohio

Katie Marie said...

This book looks like a fun read. I don't think I've ever read anything by Robin Hatcher before...but I'd love to start! :-D

Katie from Florida

Anonymous said...

Love Robin's books!

joyce in TN

Anonymous said...

I would love to win the book it looks like a great read!

Brenda from Michigan

dancealert at aol dot com

Jackie S. said...

Robin is one of my faves! Love her books and have read most of them. Please enter me for this one.
Jackie S.in GA

Courtney said...

I would really love to win this book!! Sounds great, thanks!!

Courtney from WA state

Robin Lee Hatcher said...

I have decided that coming here and reading all of your comments is better than therapy! LOL! I appreciate you all so much.

Kristie said...

Obedience can be tricky because first you have to REALLY listen. I hate silence so that is hard for me. I need to work on that. Wish me luck. Robin's book sounds wonderful. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Sharon Richmond said...

Sounds very interesting, Please enter me in the drawing.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Anonymous said...

WOW. I am already crying and I just read an excerpt.... Sounds good! :)

Salena
Texas

Cindy W. said...

Great interview. Thank you. I would love to be entered to win Belonging.

I live in Indiana.


Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Coolestmommy said...

Something about Orphan Train stories makes me grab and read them. It's something they never taught me in school and I find it fascinating.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Roanna said...

I would like to be entered. Thank you!
Roanna from Ohio

Robin Lee Hatcher said...

Hey, everyone. I should have posted this earlier. I know only one of those entered in this drawing will get a book, but I have a fun contest on my blog each week, Name This Author, and if you guess the featured author you win one of my books and most weeks one of the featured author's books as well. So please drop by Write Thinking on Wednesdays and play along. And if you're on Facebook, I'd love to see you there as that's the first place I post new news. The links are in the original post.

Lourdes said...

WOW already had me in tears. of course i love Robin Lee Hatcher.

Lourdes from Huntington, Long Island

Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com

Sarah said...

Would love to win!

Sarah H
Oklahoma

peachykath said...

I have always been interested in reading about the orphan trains and how the kids survive. Please enter me in the drawing. THank you.

Katherine from Northern California

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

so pleased to hear of the digital pub of older titles! very encouraging for you as well ")thx for the gvwy frm CA

sarahw said...

i really love Robins book and this one sounds awesome. please enter my name in the draw. thanks,
sarahw- MN