Tuesday, January 10, 2012

ROSE'S PLEDGE - Dianna Crawford and Sally Laity - Free Book


I was privileged to read the manuscript for an endorsement, so I've been looking forward to this interview. Welcome, Dianna and Sally. I know this is a collaboration. How did this story come about? 
DC: Several years ago, an acquisitions editor had seen Last of the Mohicans and asked for a trilogy in that time period.  By the time I’d submitted it, another editor held that position and wasn’t interested in that time period, so I tabled it until recently when I asked Sally to co-author with me.  Barbour liked the idea and bought it.
SL: Dianna and I had already collaborated on a Revolutionary War Series and wanted to go farther back in time to earlier circumstances that helped bring about our nation’s struggle for freedom.

Did you find it easy to work together on it? 
DC: Yes.  We’ve worked together before, and were more experienced about not getting in each other’s way this time—especially me getting in Sally’s way. 
SL: I’ve always found it easy to work with Dianna. She brings out the best in me.

How did collaborating with this team impact you? 
DC: For me, it took away the stress of getting the novel word-perfect.  Plus, I was free from being involved in the editorial process unless there was a plot or historical question.
SL: Collaborating has taught me to be flexible in writing.

What is the hardest thing about writing as a team? 
DC: Because I do the basic research, plot, and rough draft and Sally does descriptions, a lot of the dialogue and the polished manuscript, I’ve learned not to read each chapter for my added input or clarifications until after the last chapter is finished.  I find I’m more objective then. I used to nit-pick far too much.
SL: Once in awhile Dianna will come up with a character I don’t particularly care for. But as I get into the story that feeling lessens and usually goes away entirely.

What are you reading right now? 
DC: Aside from my weekly Bible study book, I’m mostly reading whatever research I can find on the French & Indian war period—not very exciting stuff unless you’re a history buff like me. 
SL: Lots of research for our own story and two current releases: Summer of Promise, by Amanda Cabot and Where Wildflowers Bloom, by Ann Shorey.

How did you choose your characters’ names? 
DC: Originally I had Rose of Sharon, Marah of the Waters (a switch on the Waters of Marah) and Lily of the Valley, all Biblical names.  Sally didn’t care for Marah because Marah means bitter, so she suggested Mariah instead. The other names, I find searching through the phone book.  Sally chooses a lot of the names, and she has a book of names for babies.
SL: When writing historicals, we try to find names that fit the time period, often using Bible names to make sure they’ll work.


Would you want to work on another book together? 
DC: Sure.  We each get to be creative yet have more time for our families, church and friends.
SL: Absolutely! I really love working with Dianna. She comes up with wonderful story lines.

What do you want to tell us about the book? 
DC: We tried to be as historically accurate as possible without boring our readers.  We hope the readers will get as caught up in the adventure, romance, and spiritual awakenings of Rose and Nate as we did bringing them to life in a very precarious time.
SL: We hope readers will be able to see the hand of God at work in the founding of this great nation and respect the valiant souls who ventured forth into the unknown to bring the light of the Gospel to the New World.

When I write historical novels, I try to be historically accurate, too. Please give us the first page of the book.

Bath, England, 1753

The rat-tat-tat of the brass door knocker echoed eerily through the spacious house.

     Kneeling on the kitchen’s stone floor, Rose Harwood started. Oh, no. Please, not now. She dropped the scrub brush into the bucket and scrambled to her feet, wiping her hands on her long work apron. The pungent odor of lye soap clung stubbornly to them, but she could do nothing about that at the moment. Perhaps the caller would not notice the smell—or worse, her red hands. Never before had she undertaken such menial labor.

     Even as she tore off the soiled apron, her frantic gaze searched worktables and shelves until it landed on the spice chest. Mexican vanilla beans could mask the scent. But no…she could not justify the ruination of something so costly to replace.

     Especially now.

     The knocker rapped several more times. Louder. More insistent.

     “Do calm yourself, Rose.” Clasping her hands together, she hiked her chin with new resolve. “I simply shan’t go to the door.”

     But that wouldn’t do either…

Where can our readers find you on the Internet? 
DC: The quickest way would probably be my email address.  dcrawford6@bak.rr.com  Barbour Books has a site for our books and us as authors, too.  As far as facebook goes, I’m still trying to get the hang of it in my spare time, which means I don’t try very hard.
SL: I’m on Facebook and can be emailed at sallylaity@yahoo.com

Thank you, Dianna and Sally, for the fun interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Rose's Pledge (Harwood House) - paperback
Rose's Pledge (Harwood House Trilogy) - Kindle


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

38 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like another winner, ladies. Have always liked your novels, whether you've written them together or individually. Thanks for the opportunity to win this one.

Marianne from El Mirage, Arizona

mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing a great interview. So excited to read this book!

Samantha
from Michigan

Patty said...

I have read many of Dianna's books in the past, not sure about Sally. Would love to have a chance to read this combined effort!

Patty in SC

Unknown said...

It sounds like a great book! Thanks for this opportunity!

gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE.
ANGELA FROM KY
ANGELAC@MCHSI.COM

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE.
ANGELA FROM KY
ANGELAC@MCHSI.COM

Melissa Jagears said...

I can not imagine writing with someone else. I think I would burst from not having total control :)

KS

Ha HA, my captha word is explodi Somehow even Blogger knew I couldn't co-write. :)

scottsgal said...

what a cool time period to set this book - can't wait to read it
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

EJ said...

Thanks for the great interview - sounds like you 2 work well together as a team. Looking forward to reading this book.

Elaine from Iowa

Carrie Fancett Pagels said...

Great to see more colonial era books coming out! Thanks so much for sharing this information, Lena!

apple blossom said...

love to be included in this book giveaway thanks
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Michelle said...

I've heard such good things about this one. Please enter me.

Kentucky

Katie said...

Can't wait to read this one! Please enter me!

I'm from NC.
God bless!

Jo said...

This sounds like it is going to be such a good book. Please enter me!

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

Debbie Clark said...

I would love to win Rose's Pledge. I love reading dianna Crawford's and Sally Laity's books. Thanks for the chance to win.
Debbie Clark from Beavercreek, Oregon

debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

I applaud you for working so well together. I do appreciate historically accurate. I am looking forward to reading ROSE'S PLEDGE

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Coolestmommy said...

Loved the opening page. Can't wait to read all of it.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

CarlybirdH said...

This sounds like a very interesting and entertaining book. I would love to win a copy. Thank you.
Carly in NC

Sylvia said...

I'm from NC and think this book looks good. Stories about indentured servants always make for an interesting twist in the plot.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Ms. Mona said...

Would love to win, can't wait to find out who was at the door !!!
Thanks/Ms.Mona/Oh

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a great book, thank your for hosting the giveaway.

I live in FL.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

eyeballlucy said...

Oh...yes I want to get entered....would love to read the book..'Rose's Pledge...sounds quite interesting....Linda McFarland....babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

Rebecca said...

Sounds like a great book! I love the way you came up with the names too. I always wondered how that worked. Thanks for the interview and thegiveaway!
Rebecca from NC
rrgreene62(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a lovely book. Please enter me.

Krista from Gresham, OR

Katie Marie said...

Please count me in for this giveaway. I REALLY wanna read this one! :-)

Katie from Florida

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks interesting!!
Please enter me in the drawing.
God Bless,
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds interesting enter me
THANKS
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Abigail Mitchell said...

Sounds and looks very interesting.
Please enter me in the drawing.
I haven't read any books by these authors. I usually pick up a book by what the cover looks like, this one would be one that I would pick up.
Thanks and God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

Alicia said...

Looks like a great read. I hope to win!

Alicia from Ny
alibaby374@gmail.com

A.Jones said...

Please enter me! Thank you for the chance to win this book!

I live in New York

Diana Flowers said...

I would feel so blessed to win this delicious looking AND sounding book. I just finished reading two books with the setting in the early wilderness with Indian braves and I just love this time frame. Thank you for the opportunity to win this!

Diana(SC)

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Ginger Solomon said...

What a wonderful sounding book. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

Ginger in AL

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds like a great story! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Cindy W. said...

Sounds like a wonderful book. Love the cover art. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Cindy W. from Indiana

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Jo said...

Please enter me! This sounds good.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona

Bakersdozen said...

I love historical fiction and want to read this. I live in S. CA.

Kristie said...

I don't usually read books set in that particular era but this one sounds good. I'm glad that the authors were able to collaborate successfully. That would be very difficult for me. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

rubynreba said...

This looks so very good. Thanks!
Beth from Iowa