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Sunday, February 19, 2012

RIVER'S CALL - Melody Carlson - Free Book


Welcome, Melody. Please tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in an “unchurched” home with divorced parents and some dysfunction. I declared myself an atheist when I was twelve. I actually think it was a desperate cry for God to reveal himself to me. Fortunately that happened in high school when I was “kidnapped” to a Young Life meeting and heard the gospel for the first time ever. I did a complete turn around—going from darkness to light—and I immediately began trying to bring all my old wild party friends with me.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
I’d probably pick four of my favorite author friends, including Robin Jones Gunn (she’s such a natural encourager and gifted storyteller) and Jane Kirkpatrick (always interesting to talk to and an incredible historical writer) and Heather Harpham Kopp (because she’s a fabulous writer and we need to catch up) and then I’d pick an author I don’t know very well Christa Allan (because I’m reading her book Walking on Glass right now and it’s really good).

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I prefer spending my time writing, but I do speak occasionally. I’m most easily enticed to speak to teens, because I feel that I have the most impact there. Right now I’m considering doing a cross-country tour next fall (to visit schools and libraries and meet more teens).

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I can’t think of too many embarrassing moments. But I do recall a writing related incident. I was doing a book signing at Walmart and my table was set up in the men’s underwear department—don’t ask me why! I was supposed to be signing my Diary of a Teenage Girl books, but not a single teen girl ventured to that particular section of the store. However I did manage to scare away quite a few bewildered male shoppers. That was kind of embarrassing—and funny.

Thank goodness my first, and only, Walmart signing was set up near the checkout stands. 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?
I tell them to go for it. The only way to “write a book” is to sit down and actually do it. However, some people get more focused on a “publishing” a book than really writing it. That’s a whole different challenge. But if you truly want to write, you should just jump in and just do it. Then do it some more. The only way you improve at anything is by doing it a lot. Then I’d recommend the usual things, take some writing classes, join a good critique group, attend writers’ conferences, read the kinds of books you aspire to write, and if you’re seeking publishing, study the market and consider self publishing ebooks.

Tell us about the featured book.
River’s Call is the second book in a trilogy (The Inn at Shining Waters). It’s a story about several generations of women, and set on a beautiful coastal river in Oregon, with a slight focus on Native American history. The main character Anna is establishing an inn with the hopes of encouraging her guests to enjoy peace and practice forgiveness. However, she is constantly challenged by the various members of her own extended family, including a “grown” daughter who’s somewhat entitled and difficult.

Please give us the first page of the book.

October 1959
           
Anna’s dugout canoe sliced a quiet path through the glasslike surface of the river. Today the Siuslaw was the color of topaz, with reflections of trees along its edges. Interspersed between spruce and firs, maple trees shone in shades of gold and rust and red. Anna turned the canoe around, paddling back to the inn where she would start breakfast, when the silvery form of a good-sized fish shot out of the water. Soaring nearly a foot into the morning air, it arched then gracefully came down with a quiet splash. The third one she’d seen this morning.

Spawning season had begun. The salmon were beginning their annual migration upriver, and in a day or two the whole river would be hopping with them, with fishermen not far behind. Grandma Pearl used to say that the salmon were practicing their jumping skills, getting strong enough to make it up mountain streams and small waterfalls in order to lay their eggs in the same spots their ancestors had been procreating their young for hundreds of years.

October had always been Anna’s favorite month on the river. With mild weather, good fishing, harvest moons, and gorgeous sunsets, who could complain? And this year—her first October back on the Siuslaw in twenty years—she was sharing this special month with Clark! Only two weeks since returning from their honeymoon, Anna and Clark had already fallen into a comfortable pattern. It was amazing how compatible they were. Both enjoyed the quietness of the morning, a good cup of coffee, and the great outdoors.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://www.melodycarlson.com

Thank you, Melody, for visiting with us today. It's always a pleasure.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
River's Call - The Inn at Shining Waters Series - paperback
River's Call - 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

29 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:36 AM

    LOVE THE COVER. SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD BOOK. I WOULD LOVE TO WIN.
    ANGELA FROM KY

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  2. normally i'm against reading a series still being written because i'm an impatient waiter for the next titles release, however, melody carlson is my exception. i grabbed the first book in this series the second it was placed on the new book shelf at the library. i was not disappointed and am eager to read this next book in the trilogy.

    northern indiana

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  3. i love Melody Carlson's novels. i have not been reading them lately, but after this post, Patty i will go back to them. Funny how an author you love seems to go under the radar at times. Maybe because she's written quite a few teen novels. Anyways, i'm off tho look for the first one in this series, hopefully find it before i win this one (joke). Thanks for the opportunity to win River's Call

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  4. Sorry, Lena i was so anxious to go find Melody's novthanksel i forgot to say i am from Arizona.

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  5. Sounds wonderful - this is a new author to me and one I will check out
    cheryl in il
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  6. Sounds wonderful - this is a new author to me and one I will check out
    cheryl in il
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  7. I read River's Song and loved not only the Native references, being Native myself, but the fabric of love that the generations of women intertwined amongst each other. From the grandmother, mother and daughter, to the family friend down the river. I would love to continue the journey, so please enter this gal from Ontario, Canada. Thanks so much.

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  8. Melody--I have enjoyed so many of your books. This one sounds like another fantastic read. Thank you for sharing about yourself!

    coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
    NE

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  9. I have read Melody Carlson's novels and have look for future ones so I was alerted to River's Call! Please enter me in this giveaway drawing! I will have to catch up! I have not read the first book in this series.
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  10. Looks great! Would love to win.
    Ali from Ny
    Alibaby374@gmail.com

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  11. Can Melody write a bad book? I think not! I would love to win a copy of "River's Call". Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.

    Blessings!
    Judy from Indiana

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  12. Anonymous5:37 PM

    LOve to read this book....sounds great.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

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  13. So far I have only read one other book of Melody's but I really enjoyed it and do want to read more of her books. Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.

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

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  14. RIVER'S CALL looks wonderful.

    I'm flabbergasted by the book signing in the men's underwear department. I did laugh.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  15. Judy Cooper1:26 AM

    I must catch up on several of Melody's books. Each one is always a treat. Thank you for the chance to enter. Judy C. in Louisiana.

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  16. Please enter me for River's Call! I love the cover and description, and I don't think I've read any books by Melody yet, unless it was a Love Finds You book quite awhile back. I'm not sure, but, anyway thank you for the opportunity to win this!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

    I'm from SC

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  17. Sharon Richmond8:00 AM

    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.

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  18. The book sounds like a wonderful vistit to the wildlife of Oregon and the people who love it. Would love to win this one.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. Enter me!
    Abigail
    Blanch, N.C.

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  20. Thank you for the Interview, love3d it. I also like the cover of your Book and I can't wait to read it, please add me to your contest.
    Blessings to all.
    I live in S.Illinois

    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. MelodyCarlson3:59 PM

    Hi (this is Melody) and I'm not too experienced at blogging. But thanks for the great comments! This series was something I'd wanted to do for such a long time--and is special to me. The third book will be out by summer. And I'm considering writing a prequel to tell the pre-history part of Anna's family's story.

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  22. Sounds like a great book. Thank you, ladies for the lovely interview :)

    Faye, SD

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  23. Please enter me in this giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win.

    I live in New York

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  24. Hi Melody, I have read 3 of your Christmas books and loved them. I already have River's Call on my wish list and can't wait to read. This book sounds like a great story. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

    Lena, thanks for hosting and for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    Brenda from Georgia

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  25. I love all the Melody Carlson books that I have read. River's Call sounds like another good read.
    Sharon from Eagan MN

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  26. I love reading Melody's books. I have not started this new series yet.

    I'm from Texas.

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  27. sounds like a great read! - Anne in Virginia

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  28. Such a pretty book! I really enjoy Melody's books.
    From Iowa

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  29. "River's Call" intrigues me. I am Metis and would love to read it!

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