A BRIDE'S SWEET SURPRISE IN SAUERS, INDIANA - Ramona K Cecil - Free Book

Welcome, Ramona. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always loved history, especially the history of my state—Indiana. I also love stories of romance, and as a Christian I enjoy fiction with a spiritual theme. By writing Christian historical romance novels, I can combine all these interests.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That would be a three-way tie; my wedding day 39 years ago, the day my first daughter was born, and the day my second daughter was born.

How has being published changed your life?

Now when I tell people I write books the response I get is more often a raised brow accompanied by an appreciatory-toned “Oh,” instead of the incredulous eye-roll I regularly got in my pre-pubbed days.

What are you reading right now?

Kim Vogel Sawyer’s new release, Song of My Heart.

What is your current work in progress?

Heart’s Heritage, a historical romance set in 1812 in my own southern Indiana county. Barbour Publishing will release the story later this year as a Heartsong.

What would be your dream vacation?

A trip to the British Isles.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My settings tend to be relatively local i.e. my state, my county, even my town because that’s what I know. Usually, the setting chooses the story when I ask he proverbial author’s question “I wonder what would have happened if. . .” like to take local history and weave a fictional story around it. A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana, is a perfect example. Sauers is a German farming community in my county. I can trace a branch of my family tree to the place. A Bride’s Sweet Surprise was actually inspired by a couple incidents in my own family history my uncle told me about.  

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

The oldest person in my state with a clear memory of what life was like here when they were young. I love hearing first-hand accounts of Indiana in simpler times.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Visiting places of historical interest. Always looking for the next inspiration.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Deciding where to begin a story. I try to imagine the story I’m writing as a movie. I ask myself “What would be the perfect opening scene?”

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Have a teachable heart, and despite discouragements—and there will be many—keep writing and never give up.

Tell us about the featured book.

As I mentioned before, A Bride’s Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana, is set in my Southern Indiana county in 1849. An arranged marriage situation among German immigrants, the story features a reluctant bride and groom. Devout Christians, the young couple are forced to question what exactly is required of them in order keep the commandment  “Honour thy Father and Mother.”

Please give us the first page of the book.

Have you lost your senses? My Vater will shoot you!” Fear for the young man standing before her bubbled up in Regina Seitz’s chest.

A deep laugh rumbled from Eli Tanner, but the cacophony of his father’s horse-powered gristmill behind them quickly swallowed the sound. The nonchalant stretching across his handsome face told her he did not share her concern. “Your pa is a reasonable man. He may run me off his farm and give me a tongue-lashing in German, but I doubt he would shoot me for taking you to a box supper at Dudleytown.”

“He might if you take me without his consent and without a chaperone.” With all her heart, Regina wished her words were not true. In her seventeen years, she couldn’t remember a longer, colder winter than the one their little farming community had just endured. Now that the harsh weather had finally given way to a warm and glorious spring and with Lent and Easter behind them, she looked forward to occasions like this Saturday’s gathering at the Dudleytown School to socialize with friends her age. And of all the boys in the county, she could think of no other she would rather have squire her to the event than Eli. But Eli hadn’t seen the thundercloud form on Papa’s face last September after her sister Elsie’s marriage to her non-German husband, William. Eli hadn’t heard Papa’s voice ring like a death-knell, proclaiming that he would never again sanction the marriage of a daughter to a non-German.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My web site is www.ramonakcecil.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you, Ramona, for this interesting peek into your life and your book.

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

A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana - paperback
A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana - Kindle


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