Welcome back, Martha. As an author, I know
it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in
the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
This book came about as the fourth in a series that I
proposed to Debbie Marrie, acquisitions editor at Charisma Media. After I had
the story written it went to another editor, Lori Vanden Bosch. She had some
ideas for the story and together we worked on it to bring the story to its
final form. Deborah Moss read it then and had a few questions that helped
clarify a few points. Atalie Anderson sent me the cover and with a few minor
changes, we had the beautiful cover that you will see today. Usually I have a
critique partner or two read over the manuscript, but there was no time for
that with this book. Getting a book from the story idea to final publication
involves so many people, and so far my experiences have been very good.
If you teach or
speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I recently spoke at the Tulsa ACFW group and I will be
teaching two workshops at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in Houston on August 4. After
that I will be speaking to a women’s group at First Baptist Church of Houston
in October.
If you had to
completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
If you mean at birth, I wouldn’t really want to be another
place. I loved Dallas , Texas , where I grew up and graduated from high
school. If you mean starting over later in life, I would have enjoyed living in
the country on a ranch somewhere in Texas.
If you could only
tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
All aspiring writers must have patience and learn to wait.
We wait on responses from editors and/or agents. We wait on return of
critiques. Most importantly of all, we wait for God’s perfect timing. He is
always on schedule, and most of the time it doesn’t fit ours.
You’ve been asked to
be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why?
(AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
This is a toughie as I don’t know any of the celebrities
from today because I just don’t pay that much attention to them, and we don’t
go to movies. However, if I could plan a Christian cruise, I would invite Point
of Grace and Steve Green to provide music, and Christian comedian Mark Lowry to
entertain us with his wonderful stories.
I’d love to be on
that cruise with you. Tell us about the featured book.
Spring Hope is a
story of forgiveness that parallels my own with my brother. Learning to forgive
someone of a lifestyle or crimes that go against everything one has ever
believed and taught is one of the most difficult things to do for a Christian,
especially when that person is someone close to us. Cody Muldoon must learn
that lesson and my agony became his as he wrestled with God about what he had
to do.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
February, 1891
Chapter 1
The coldest
night of winter thus far chilled Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon to the bone as he
made his rounds in the alleyways of Porterfield. Cold wind howled around the
corners of the buildings now closed up for the night. Most everyone in
Porterfield had gone home to their families and warm homes. This was all the
winter he cared to experience, and even this would be only a few days as the
weather in Texas
could change in a heartbeat, summer or winter.
Lights and
music from the saloon rang out and mocked the dark silence of its neighboring
buildings. Friday nights found cowboys and lumberjacks both squandering their
hard-earned money on liquor and women. Tonight would be no different despite
the cold, near freezing temperatures. Most likely at least one or two of them
would end up in the jail for a spell.
Cory turned up
the collar of his sheepskin-lined jacket and shoved his hat farther down on his
head. When he rounded the corner of the livery, the gentle nickering and snorts
of the horses boarded there broke the quietness of the night.
A cat skittered
out from behind the general store, and a dog barked in the distance. Ever since
the bank robbery last fall, he or the sheriff had roamed the alleys behind the
main businesses every night to make sure everything remained locked tight and
secure. So far, he’d seen only a typical Friday night with everything as
routine as Aunt Mae’s boardinghouse meal schedule. Of course being Friday the
thirteenth, anything could happen.
They already
had two men put up for the night back at the jail. Sheriff Rutherford took the
night duty to keep the jail cells warm so Cory could have Saturday off for his
Aunt Mae’s wedding. Ole Cooter probably got drunk and disorderly just so he’d
have a warm place to sleep tonight and not have to go out to his shack. Cory
held no blame on the man for that. Durand, the saloon owner, caught the other
man cheating at cards and had him arrested. Maybe the card shark would move his
game on to some other town.
Where can we find you
on the Internet?
www.marthawrogers.com
Thank you, Martha, for another interesting interview.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Spring Hope (Seasons of the 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
Martha Rogers is one great author! I would love to win a copy of "Spring Hope". This book sounds so good. I just love the cover of this book. It is so eye catching!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview with Martha. Thanks Lena and Martha for this post and giveaway.
Blessings!
Judy from Indiana
Haven't read anything by Martha, would love to read this one!
ReplyDeleteJoyAnne in TN
I haven't read anything by Martha yet and would love to. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you, Lena and Martha for a great interview and the opportunity to win a awesome sounding novel. i really enjoyed this post. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteMarianne from northern Alberta
mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com
WOULD LOVE TO WIN. ANGELA FROM KY
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great interview! Would love to add this book to my collection.
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
Sounds like a book I'd really enjoy
ReplyDeletecheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
I'd love to read this!
ReplyDeleteLiz R in Al
This book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Amy Campbell
Southwest VA
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story ;)
ReplyDeletekarenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Thanks for dropping in everyone. I wish all of you could win.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book.
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lkish77123 at gmail dot com
SPRING HOPE looks wonderful. I enjoyed the first page thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
"Spring Hope" sounds like a heart warming story. I am interested in reading it.
ReplyDeleteJan
Enter me this book sounds and looks great!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
This book looks so interesting!!! Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteThanks and God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.
Would love to read this book...sounds great.Thanks Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a copy. Please enter me in the drawing. Portsmouth, VA
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed Martha's series and would love to win Spring Hope.
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX
Enjoyed the inreview. Spring Hope looks very good.
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa