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.
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
ANGELA FROM KY WOULD LOVE TO WIN.
ReplyDeleteAnother author unfamiliar to me! Would love to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
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.
ReplyDeleteMarianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
Sound great
ReplyDeleteMonica Toronto Canada
Anna's story sounds great. Cades Cove is such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteAmy from VA.
Angela from Kentucky, you're practically my neighbor since I live in Tennessee! It's great to meet you. Thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Hi Monica. I'm always happy to connect with Canadian readers. Maybe you'll win the copy of Angel of the Cove.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
sounds like a wonderful book
ReplyDeletecheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
I'm from NC. Please enter me! Sounds like a really good book!
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Hi Cheryl. Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love to see you have a copy of my book.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Looks GREAT!!!
ReplyDeleteAmada Willard, NM
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Judy B from Indiana
Would love to win this book.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
ReplyDeleteI see I have some catching up to do with your writings. The story about Hillary Clinton was very touching.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
oh, yes please enter me thanks
ReplyDeletelive in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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!
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Sounds like a good one! Please drop my name in the hat. :)
ReplyDeleteAnna W. from GA
Love stories re: the mountains as I am a mountain girl..:)would love to win this book....Mountain Girl
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!
ReplyDeleteDiana from SC
dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]
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.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book.
Ginger in AL
Enter me this book looks great!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteBlanch, N.C.
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Hi Sarah. Thank you for stopping by. You just may be the winner of this book.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
This sounds like a great book from another new author who I am not familiar with.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)comq
Please enter me...would love to win this book.Thanks..Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really good book. Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteKrista in Oregon
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.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Hi Jackie. Another North Carolina resident. I love your state. I have written four books that are set there.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
Hi Krista in Oregon. I visited Oregon several years ago and really enjoyed my visit. Thanks for dropping by today.
ReplyDeleteSandra Robbins
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".
ReplyDeletePatricia aka Mamaw in SE Texas
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
ReplyDeleteCades cove sounds like an amazing place. I love books that explore God's plans for our lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm from the Black Hills of SD - another great location for historical fiction. ;)
I love the cover of this book. Very pretty! Please count me in on this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteKatie from Florida
Cades Cove is gorgeous and I can't wait to read about it!
ReplyDeleteLiz R in AL