Welcome, Ann. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
History and research are my passions. I have a collection of
family memoirs dating back to the American Revolution, and became interested in
fiction when I realized all the memoirs were written by men. In order to learn
what women’s lives were like, I turned the stories into novels.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest
day in your life?
When I was baptized. In my church, we baptize by immersion.
I’ll never forget the joy I felt when I came up out of the water. It’s been
thirty-some years, but whenever I think about that occasion, I feel the joy
anew.
How has being published changed your life?
Being published has made my life much busier! No one tells
you ahead of time how many things other than writing there are to do once you
have books out there. The marketing, which includes blogging, social
networking, book signings, and more, takes so much time—as you well know. I
love what I do, so it’s all good, but there are days when I wish I had a few
hours to just kick back and read a book all afternoon. J
I know what you mean, but I love connecting with readers. What are you reading right now?
Liz Curtis Higgs’ Mine
is the Night. I’m loving it. Along with the first book in the series, Here Burns my Candle, it’s a fascinating
re-telling of the story of Ruth and Naomi.
What is your current work in progress?
A novel for Revell titled When the Heart Heals. It’s Book 2 in the Sisters At Heart series,
and continues the stories of Faith, Rosemary, and Cassie.
What would be your dream vacation?
My dream is to have the time and the money to tour every one
of the lower 48 states (I’ve already been to Alaska twice). My husband and I have visited
a number of states, both for research and pleasure, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the
regional differences in our beautiful country. Oh, to visit them all! I can
dream, can’t I?
How do you choose your settings for each book?
My series have been inspired by the lives of my female ancestors,
so the settings are chosen from family history.
If you could spend an evening with one person who is
currently alive, who would it be and why?
Franklin Graham. I’d love to talk with him about the origins
of Samaritan’s Purse.
James and I have followed Franklin's ministry for years. We were very active in the Christmas Box program. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I collect antique kitchen and laundry implements, and also
keep an eye out for unusual Vaseline glass pieces when I go antiquing. I enjoy trying
new recipes, puttering in my flower garden, and riding dirt bikes. (The dirt
bike part isn’t true—I just realized I sound kind of boring, so thought I’d add
something with a little spark. J)
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you
overcome it?
Staying away from email and Facebook requires a ton of
discipline when I’m writing. The other obstacle is interruptions. Some days are
shattered by multiple phone calls. Aargh.
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
This is so basic, but “don’t quit” is the best advice I can
give. Perseverance is the key to being published. Constantly improve your craft
with each rejection and then resubmit.
Tell us about the featured book.
The War Between the States stole a father and brother from
Faith Lindberg—as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry. With only
her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs ,
Missouri , and traveling west to Oregon to start a new
life, away from the memories that haunt her. But first she must convince her
grandfather to sell the family's mercantile and leave a town their family has
called home for generations.
When
Royal Baxter suddenly returns, Faith allows herself to hope that she and Royal
will finally wed. But does he truly love her? Or will another man claim her heart?
Please give us the first page of the book.
“You can do
this,” Faith Lindberg told herself as she gazed into the hall mirror and
straightened her bonnet. “After all, it’s only for a short time.” Once she
gathered the courage to talk to Grandpa about her plans, she knew they’d be
leaving Noble Springs.
She
slipped her well-worn copy of Randolph Marcy’s The Prairie Traveler into her carryall. Her grandfather said he
wanted her to take over managing the store. He hadn’t said she couldn’t spend
time reading when there were no customers.
The
onyx mantel clock in their parlor chimed the half hour. Grandpa had been very
specific—meet him at eight o’clock and he’d show her what to do before
Lindberg’s Mercantile opened for the day’s business.
Faith
hurried out the door, grateful that the morning sun promised a pleasant day
after a week of rain. Maybe she wouldn’t have to bother with lighting the
store’s cranky wood-burning stove. Its warmth drew elderly gossipers the way a
freshly iced cake drew bees.
I'll love reading this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website is www.annshorey.com; on Facebook,
please visit my Ann Shorey Author page, https://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey;
and on Twitter, I’m Ann_Shorey. When you find me, please let me know you read
this on Thank you, Ann, for spending this time with us on a busy day.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Where Wildflowers Bloom: A Novel (Sisters at Heart)
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
35 comments:
i have filled Christmas Shoe Boxes for Samaritan's Purse, but never realized the origin. Thanks Ann, for including it in your answers. i would love to win this novel. Thanks Ann and Lena for the opportunity, and the great interview!
marianne
mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
Arizona
I enjoyed reading the interview with Ann Shorey. As I read it I found that we have some of the same things in common. I, too, would like to visit all of the lower 48 states, with my family. I have told my husband numerous times that I would love to buy an RV and travel to as many historical sites as we can for our kids to experience hands on history. The only thing stopping this dream from coming true is the lack of income to do such things. Maybe one of us has a rich uncle somewhere who will leave us with enough money to do so...I know, I am dreaming.
Please enter my name into the drawing.
Tammi in Maine
dandtdearing{at}earthlink{dot}net
I love the cover! How beautiful!
I love history and enjoy researching family history, especially finding old letters. I'd never thought about memoirs being written only by men. Interesting.
This sounds like a very interesting bokk. I'd love the opportunity to read it. I'm from NC.
Thank you!
rrgreene62(at)gmail.com
Thank you for taking time to do this interview. This sounds like a book I will really enjoy.
I live in FL
wfnren at aol dot com
Love the name of the book - one I'd pick up based on the name alone
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
thanks for the chance to win this book
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I enjoyed the interview with Ann. Our church does the Christmas Shoe Boxes every year. It brings me to tears when we watch a short clip of the children who receive them. They are so thrilled and grateful for whatever they get. God is at work in this ministry!
I would love to win a copy of "Where Wildflowers Bloom". I think the cover is so pretty!
Blessings and Happy New Year!
Judy B from Indiana
I too love to research and love history. I have a collection of WWII memorabilia that is precious to me since it belonged to my Mom's first husband - a bomber pilot who died in a crash.
I'd love to win the book
Jan Cline
Washington state
Thank you for the first page of WHERE WILDFLOWERS BLOOM. I enjoyed it very much. I hope to read the book soon.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Please include me in the drawing. I love this type of story. Judy C. Louisiana.
Looks interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
Enter me!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.
Our church sends the shoe boxes every year as well! A wonderful thing! I would feel so blessed to win this book, as I really love Ann's books and it's been awhile since I've had the oppportunity to read one!
Diana from SC
dianalflowers@aol.com
sounds very interesting I would Love to read it enter me in the drawing
Thanks
Joanna Richmond
I am From
Blanch NC
I loved everyone's comments! I'm so sorry I didn't respond yesterday--my modem died on Friday the 23rd, and I've been without internet access ever since! :( I'm down at my husband's office today catching up on everything.
So glad many of you do the Christmas shoeboxes! It's such a blessing, both to the giver and the receiver!
I'll pass your compliments about the beautiful cover on to the Art Department at Revell. Don't they do a great job?!
I loved the Interview, thank you Ann and Lena.
I never read any of your books Ann but I will look for them now, your new book sounds great. Please add me to your contest.
Blessings to all
I live in S.Illinois
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds wonderful! Civil War and Post Civil War is an era that I enjoy reading about and learning from those who combine excellent research and fiction together. Blessed New Year, Lena and Ann! I live in Phoenix.
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds like a great story!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
I would love to win. Thank You for the chance.
Ingrid, You might also enjoy my first series, "At Home in Beldon Grove." Those books are set in S. Illinois, where I have roots.
:)
Lena, thank you so much for hosting me today on your blog! It's fun reading people's comments after they read the interview.
I had so much fun writing Thyme for Love and I'm currently working on the second book in the series called Love Will Find a Way. I can't wait to start adding the food on the second round after the first draft is complete.
Pamela Meyers
I've done shoeboxes since my oldest was an infant--14 years now. I'm touched and humbled by the way something so small makes such a huge impact. Thanks for sharing more of it here!
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
Much to enjoy in that interview--good job to you both! Love the quote re the gossipers around the wood stove like bees... :) Also your big fib re dirt bikes--hahahaha! :) But as for your mom, oh Ann, I'm so sorry! Revel in the good memories God's gonna bring to your heart 'n mind... Patti Iverson in Medford randpi2@charter.net
MODEM! NOT mom--hahahahahaha! Sheesh. Oh well, ain't communication grand? :) Just ignore me altogether, dear Ann, and I'll be fine. And you'll be finer, now that you're so recently out of mourning, heh heh heh... <3
Wildflowers Bloom. Great name and great cover so it has to be a great story.
This year we did the Shoe Boxes for Samaritan's Purse.
Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
We also do the shoe boxes for Samaritans Purse and find it such a blessing. Love the book cover!
Beth from Iowa
This book looks like a definant page turner!
Alicia from Ny
Alibaby374@gmail.com
Patti, I'm chuckling at your condolences for the loss of my "mom". hehe
Love your comments, and also love reading comments from all of you who do shoeboxes at Christmas. It is amazing how something so small in our lives is so large in the lives of those children.
I've been wanting to try out one of Ann's books, so I would enjoy reading this one as a first! Please enter me in this giveaway!
I live in New York
Love these type of books and it sounds really good..can't wait to read it! Angie in Illinois
I'd love to read this!
Jane in OR
It's been fun for me to see where everyone's from! Jane in OR--we live in the same state. :)
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
Nancye in Kentucky
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
It's interesting that you have traced your famiy so far back. I've tried to do genealogy but akways hit road blocks. I'm glad that you turned to writing novels as a way to express the women's stories. Your book sounds intriguing and suspenseful. Take care! I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you. Happy 2012!
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