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Wednesday, August 08, 2012

ANGEL OF THE COVE - Sandra Robbins - One Free Book

Bio:
Sandra Robbins and her husband live in the small college town where she grew up. Until a few years ago she was working as an elementary school principal, but God opened the door for her to become a full-time writer.  Her books have been finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Contest for excellence in mystery writing, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the Holt Medallion, and the ACFW Carol Award. Since Sandra is a Southerner by birth, she enjoys setting her historical romance and romantic suspense books in both the past and present-day South.


What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I write about forgiveness, loving and ministering to all people no matter how different they are from you, finding God’s will for your life, and telling others about God’s love for mankind. I want my books to reflect the things that Jesus talked about when He was on earth.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?
The story of Anna Prentiss and Simon Martin that’s told in Angel of the Cove continues when Mountain Homecoming, the second book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams Series releases in March, 2013. The final story of the Martin family releases in July, 2013, but this book’s title is still undecided. These books are from Harvest House Publishers.

I’m also excited about another release next year. A Lady’s Choice which tells the story of a young woman who travels to Washington to demonstrate with suffragists outside the White House gates in 1917 will release in April, 2013, in the new American Tapestry line from Summerside Press.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Once when I was principal of an elementary school I met Hillary Clinton when she visited at a gathering in my area. At that time she was the first lady and was guarded by a lot of Secret Service men, but I was impressed by her open and friendly manner as she moved through the crowd. The week before that day a first grader in our school had died in a tragic accident at his home, and our teachers and students were grieving the loss of this little boy. I had sent a copy of her book It Takes a Village to those in charge of the event and asked if they might be able to get her to sign it for the child’s parents. Organizers of the event later said that when they asked her to sign the book, she was quite concerned about the incident and asked to be told more about it. Even when her security told her it was time to go, she refused to leave until she had the full story. The book was returned to me not only signed but with a comforting note for the parents. The words she wrote let me know she had a warm and caring heart. Since that time, she’s had the opportunity to represent our country to other nations. I think it would be so exciting to sit and talk with her for an evening. 

What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
In doing research for A Lady’s Choice I felt like I came to know many of the suffragists who worked for women to have the right to vote. One of those who whose work especially interested me is Alice Paul. She dedicated her life to the fight for women’s rights. Today women have the right to go to the polls and cast their votes because of the determination to succeed that she and others had. I would love to be able to talk to her and hear the stories first hand of what they experienced and what they suffered for a cause so dear to their hearts. 

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
It’s very discouraging to receive rejections, but it’s something writers must expect if they want to enter the world of publishing. Even after being published, there are still rejections. So the sooner one learns to accept it, the easier life will be. I would encourage authors to continue to go to conferences and network with writers, editors, and agents. Those contacts are invaluable. Keep sending out those queries, and don’t give up. I read an article where Kathryn Stockett said her book The Help received over seventy rejections, but she didn’t give up. She persevered and ended up with a bestseller and a movie.

Tell us about the featured book.
Anna Prentiss has never wanted to be anything but a nurse. Before she can start school in New York, however, her brother sends her to Cades Cove, deep in the Smoky Mountains, to spend a summer apprenticing to the local midwife. Anna is determined to prove herself and then head to the big city.

But nothing could have prepared Anna for the beauty of the Cove, or the community and friendships she finds there. And she certainly wasn't prepared for Simon Martin, the handsome young minister, or the feelings he arouses in her. Has God's plan for Anna changed? Or is she just starting to hear Him clearly?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Mountain air was supposed to be cool. At least that’s what she’d always heard.

Anna Prentiss couldn’t be sure because she’d never been this far into the mountains before. But if truth be told, they still had a fair piece to go before they reached the hills that rolled off in the distance.

The narrow dirt road that led them closer to those hills twisted and bumped its way along. The June heat had dried out the winter mud in this part of Tennessee and produced a dust that threatened to choke her, roiling up and around the buggy. Anna covered her mouth with the lace handkerchief her mother had tucked in her dress pocket and sneezed. The smudge left on the cloth made her wonder what her face must look like.

She glanced at Uncle Charles, her father’s brother, who sat beside her on the leather seat of the buggy. Perspiration had cut meandering, dusty trails down his cheeks, but he didn’t appear to notice. His attention was focused on trying to avoid the holes that dotted the road.

She wiped at her face once more before stuffing the handkerchief back in her pocket. It really didn’t matter what she looked like. There was no one to see her. The only living creatures she’d seen all day were some white-tailed deer that had run across the road in front of them and a fox that had peered at her from his dusky hiding place beside the road. In front of them trees lined the long roadway that twisted and turned like a lazy snake slithering deeper into the mountain wilderness. She’d come a long way from the farm in Strawberry Plains.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I enjoy hearing from my readers. They can learn more about me and connect with me on social media on my website at http://sandrarobbins.net
or they can email me at sandra@sandrarobbins.net 


Thank you, Sandra, for the interesting interview.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Angel of the Cove (Smoky Mountain Dreams) - paperback
Angel of the Cove (Smoky Mountain Dreams) - 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

48 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:41 AM

    ANGELA FROM KY WOULD LOVE TO WIN.

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  2. Another author unfamiliar to me! Would love to win a copy of this book.

    Patty in SC

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  3. This sounds intriguing, Thanks Lena and Sandra for the opportunity to win! Are you looking at my bookshelves to see what authors i don't have, Lena. This is another new one for me.

    Marianne from northern Alberta

    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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  4. monica7:11 AM

    Sound great

    Monica Toronto Canada

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  5. Anna's story sounds great. Cades Cove is such a beautiful place!
    Amy from VA.

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  6. Angela from Kentucky, you're practically my neighbor since I live in Tennessee! It's great to meet you. Thanks for stopping by today.

    Sandra Robbins

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  7. Hi Patty. Thank you for leaving a comment. I'd like for you to get to know me better. Maybe you'll be the winner of Angel of the Cove.

    Sandra Robbins

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  8. Hi Marianne. I appreciate your stopping by today. I'd certainly like to add Angel of the Cove to your bookshelf. Maybe you'll be the winner.

    Sandra Robbins

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  9. Hi Monica. I'm always happy to connect with Canadian readers. Maybe you'll win the copy of Angel of the Cove.

    Sandra Robbins

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  10. Hi Amy. Yes, Cades Cove is a beautiful place. Have you visited there? It's like you stepped back in time when you see the farmhouses and buildings that tell about life in time long past. Thank you for stopping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  11. sounds like a wonderful book
    cheryl in IL
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  12. I'm from NC. Please enter me! Sounds like a really good book!

    God bless!

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  13. Hi Cheryl. Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love to see you have a copy of my book.

    Sandra Robbins

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  14. Hi, Katie G. You're my neighbor, too, since I live in Tennessee. I love North Carolina and have set some of my books there. I wrote a three book series for Love Inspired Suspense that's set on Ocracoke Island, one of my favorite places to visit.

    Sandra Robbins

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  15. Looks GREAT!!!

    Amada Willard, NM

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  16. Hi Amanda. I see you're from New Mexico. I have never visited your state, but it's sure on my list of places to go. I'd love for you to have a copy of Angel of the Cove so you could read about some of the history of my home state. Thanks for dropping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  17. Sandra, This book sounds so good. I did enjoy the interview and was happy to read that you had the opportunity to write full time. You said one of the things you enjoyed writing about was forgiveness. I love reading books about forgiveness. It seems that is what I struggle with the most!

    Blessings!
    Judy B from Indiana

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  18. Would love to win this book.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

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  19. I see I have some catching up to do with your writings. The story about Hillary Clinton was very touching.

    Mary P

    QLD AUSTRALIA

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  20. Hi Judy. I struggle with forgiveness, too. If you haven't read Rebecca Nichols Alonzo's book The Devil in Pew Number Seven, I would recommend it. It's a true story of one woman's forgiveness that will make you really reevaluate how you deal with others. Thanks for stopping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  21. oh, yes please enter me thanks

    live in ND


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  22. Hi Jackie. It's so good to see someone else here from North Carolina. Of course you know that part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is in NC, too. Thanks for stopping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  23. Hi Apple Blossom. It's good to see you again. I'm glad you dropped by today. I would love to send a book to you. Have a great day!

    Sandra Robbins

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  24. Hi Marybelle. It's good to see someone from down under. I would love to visit Australia. My daughter visited and loved it. I'm glad you dropped by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  25. Sounds like a good one! Please drop my name in the hat. :)

    Anna W. from GA

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  26. Mountain Girl/Ohio8:05 AM

    Love stories re: the mountains as I am a mountain girl..:)would love to win this book....Mountain Girl

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  27. What a blessing it would be to win this...sounds wonderful! This is a new author to me (well I have heard of her), but have yet to read her work! Thanks for the opportunity to win this!

    Diana from SC

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]

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  28. I've been to Cades Cove several times and loved every minute of it. One day I hope to take my horses and ride the pathways.

    I would love to read this book.

    Ginger in AL

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  29. Sharon Richmond10:40 AM

    Enter me this book looks great!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch, NC.

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  30. Enter me!!
    God Bless!
    Sarah
    Blanch,N.C.

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  31. Please enter me!

    Blanch, N.C.

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  32. Hi Anna W. I imagine you already know I love your first name since that's the name of my heroine in Angel of the Cove. I'm so glad you dropped by and would love for you to come to know my Anna better.

    Sandra Robbins

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  33. Hi Mountain Girl. It's great to meet a girl who loves the mountains. There's something about being in the mountains that thrills my heart. Thank you for dropping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  34. Hi Ginger. There are so many great trails in Cades Cove. I can understand why you would want to take your horses. I hope you get to do that.

    Sandra Robbins

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  35. Hi Sharon. Thank you for saying my book sounds great. I would love for you to have a copy of it. Maybe you'll be the winner. I'm glad you stopped by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  36. Hi Sarah. Thank you for stopping by. You just may be the winner of this book.

    Sandra Robbins

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  37. Hi Abigail. I love your picture. Are you and Sarah sisters? It's great that you like to read. Maybe you'll win the book. Thanks for stopping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  38. This sounds like a great book from another new author who I am not familiar with.

    Blessings,
    Jo from Southern Arizona
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)comq

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  39. Please enter me...would love to win this book.Thanks..Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

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  40. Sounds like a really good book. Please enter me!

    Krista in Oregon

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  41. Hi Jo. I would love for you to get to know me better. I write historical romance and romantic suspense. Maybe you'll win this book. Thank you for stopping by.

    Sandra Robbins

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  42. Hi Jackie. Another North Carolina resident. I love your state. I have written four books that are set there.

    Sandra Robbins

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  43. Hi Krista in Oregon. I visited Oregon several years ago and really enjoyed my visit. Thanks for dropping by today.

    Sandra Robbins

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  44. Knowing what I know now and the rights I have/ My female ancestors are probably yelling,"You have rights now make good use of them".

    Patricia aka Mamaw in SE Texas

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  45. Diana Gardner7:27 AM

    Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA

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  46. Cades cove sounds like an amazing place. I love books that explore God's plans for our lives.

    I'm from the Black Hills of SD - another great location for historical fiction. ;)

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  47. I love the cover of this book. Very pretty! Please count me in on this giveaway!

    Katie from Florida

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  48. Cades Cove is gorgeous and I can't wait to read about it!

    Liz R in AL

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