THE KEEPER - Suzanne Woods Fisher - Free Book

What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Faith: What it looks like in the daily grind. Ups and downs and everything in between.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

This year, there are two big projects releasing. The first is The Keeper—a brand new series, Seasons of Stoney Ridge, about three sisters. Each sister will take a turn as the main character (Julia in The Keeper, Sadie in The Haven, M.K. in The Lesson).

The other project is a children’s chapter book series: The Adventures of Lily Lapp. I’m co-writing the stories with Mary Ann Kinsinger, a popular blogger (www.ajoyfulchaos.com) who was raised Old Order Amish. Mary Ann’s childhood is the inspiration for the series. So excited about it!

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Well, this may sound funny, but I would really like to get to know Ina Garten of “The Barefoot Contessa.” Her recipes are ridiculously good…and I’ve had a secret wish that we were related. Like, if she happened to be a long-lost aunt or second cousin.  

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Right now, the person I would like to meet would be Mary Coffin Starbuck. I’ve got a three book contract with Revell Books for a series about Quaker Nantucket—and Mary Coffin Starbuck is the woman who brought Quakerism to Nantucket. She’s thought to be a “Deborah” type character (the judge in the Old Testament). I am fascinated by her! As I was researching the stories in Nantucket this last fall, I was able to go through an Accounting Book of Mary Coffin Starbucks—nearly 320 years old. I had to sign away my life for the oh-so-strict research librarian before she went into the vault to get the book. I sat in a windowless room, wearing white gloves, and felt my heart pounding as I went through the sheepskin book. Still gives me shivers! 

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers? “Hangeth thou in there.” Rejection is part of the writer’s package. There’s a lot to be learned from it—humility, perseverance, a thick skin. It’s part of the process of preparing for publication and will actually be beneficial to you. Sure doesn’t feel like it at the time. You’ll have to trust me on that!  

Tell us about the featured book?

The Keeper is a story about a family that doesn’t quite fit, though they have huge hearts. The basic storyline is about Julia, the eldest sister, as she tries to convince her former fiancé to “man up” and marry her. Along comes Roman Troyer, known as the Bee Man for his migratory beekeeping, to complicate matters for Julia. You’ll meet Julia’s family and discover added layers of the story through their lives.   

Please give us the first page of the book.

Spring came in a hurry. The wind had softened, bare branches were budding, and soon there would be the heavy green shade of the trees. Julia Lapp had already picked peas and spinach out of her garden, and set them, along with baskets of carrots and bunches of asparagus, on the produce table in front of the roadside stand.

When school let out for the year, Julia would get her youngest sister to watch over Windmill Farm’s stand, but it wasn’t necessary in late April. There weren’t too many customers around, not the way it would be later in summer, once the corn started to sweeten up and the tomatoes ripened.

The day was overcast, but gardening was hot work and Julia had been up since five. She glanced in the mirror that she kept hidden against the back wall of the stand. It was a bad, vain habit, catching glances of herself in mirrors and windows, but she couldn’t keep from looking. What did she see? A twenty-one-year-old face, with shiny mahogany hair and hazel eyes rimmed with black lashes, and nearly flawless white skin. She pulled herself away from the mirror, silently scolding herself for her vanity. But pleased, all the same.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I enjoy interacting with readers.

You can find me at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor

and on Twitter: SuzannewFisher

Enter 1/3 - 1/17. RSVP for Party today!

It’s a “Honey of a Giveaway” from Suzanne Woods Fisher! Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!
RSVP early and tell your friends!

Wow! that's really a wonderful party. I hope you attend.

Thank you, Suzanne, for the interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Keeper, The: A Novel (Stoney Ridge Seasons) - paperback
Keeper, The (Stoney Ridge Seasons) - Kindle


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