Thursday, September 13, 2012

A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS - Stephanie Grace Whitson, Judith Miller, Nancy Moser - 2 Free Books


It's that time of year again. Christmas stories and novella collections are coming out. I'm happy to host three of my favorite authors with their novella collection.

How did your story for the collection come about?
Stephanie: Many years ago I read an anecdote written by a sod house pioneer involving a snowbound train. It was only a couple of paragraphs of a pioneer’s memory, but the idea captivated me. When I heard that Barbour was open to new ideas for Christmas collections, I remembered that snowbound train on the prairie, and I contacted my agent to see if she thought Barbour would be interested in an anthology with a quilt theme. The answer was yes, so I invited two of my best writing friends—and two women whose historical fiction I admire—Judith Miller and Nancy Moser to join the project. 

What are you reading right now?
Judith:  I just finished Laura Frantz’s new book, Love’s Reckoning—I highly recommend it!
Nancy:  I’m rereading A Tale of Two Cities.  I love Dickens.
Steph: I’ve been re-reading A Patchwork Christmas, now that I have the actual book in my hands. It’s fun to see how Judy and Nancy’s stories ended up, after all our brain-storming and after the final edit. I’m also reading My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.

What other books have you had published?
Judith: Since all of us are multi-published, it might be best for readers to take a peek at our websites where they’ll find complete lists of our books. www.judithmccoymiller.com  www.stephaniegracewhitson.com and www.nancymoser.com

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
Stephanie: For me personally, the “extras” were the hardest part about this project. Finding recipes our readers would enjoy, coordinating the craft projects, and then working out the details of the give-away associated with the book’s release took a lot more time than I thought it would. And I still have to make the doll quilt we’re giving away!
NancyWriting short!  I’m used to writing over 100,000 words, so to write a story in 33,000?  That was a tough one.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?
Stephanie: It helped me a lot, because it was like having two extra editors, since we critiqued each other’s work as we developed our stories. I loved that part of the process.
Nancy:  I agree I like having two other pairs of eyes.  Plus, considering Judy and Steph are my best buds… it was a joy.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Nancy:  I go to the social security site, and put in the birth year for the most popular names: Names by Birth Year  This is for years 1879 and after, but many are applicable to earlier years too.
Steph: I collect names from local histories related to my setting and around the era that my story takes place. I also collect names from cemeteries.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
Nancy:  God’s ways are not our ways.  And He is patient and will achieve His will even if we get on the wrong track!
Steph:  God is often doing His best work when, to us, it looks like circumstances out of our control have ruined everything.  

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Judith: Yes, I joined back when the organization first began and have continued my         membership ever since. I enjoy the fellowship of other writers.
Steph: Yes, I’m a member. It’s a great resource, both for information and for fellowship.
Nancy:  Yes, I’m also a member.  It’s amazing how many writers there are, all with the same goal to publish for Him.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Nancy:  Be willing to edit, to take criticism.  Actually, editing is my favorite part because I finally get some feedback.  Often I’ve thought a story was right-on, when an editor showed me how it could be much, much better. 95% of the time, I implement their suggestions.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
www.nancymoser.com, https://www.facebook.com/nancymoser.author

Thank you, ladies, for the interesting article. And I just love the quilt samples you shared with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Patchwork Christmas: Three Christmas Romances with Bonus Handcraft Patterns and Cookie Recipes - paperback
A Patchwork Christmas: Three Christmas Romances with Bonus Handcraft Patterns and Cookie Recipes - 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

35 comments:

apple blossom said...

Oh, love this cover and I love christmas reads cool thanks for the giveaway

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Jo said...

I love reading Christmas stories.

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

Karen G. said...

I love Christmas books. Would love to read this one.

Karen from Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

karenk said...

thanks for the chace to read these beautiful stories

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...



Nancy Moser here: Apple Blossom said she loves the cover. We do too! It's a gorgeous book with deckled edges on the pages, and a thick embossed cover with flaps...It's a hefty feeling book, full of novellas, recipes, and needlework directions. A great Christmas gift (hint hint).

Amy C said...

111ppI love this post. The authors. The quilts. The book. Talk of Christmas. Love it!
Amy C
VA

Norma S said...

Hi Ladies,
Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book " A Patchwork Christmas " where all collection of your part. Christmas is special. So thank you and God bless each of you, have a great week.
Norma

Anonymous said...

would love to win a copy of this book. angela from KY

Judy said...

A Patchwork Christmas sounds so good! Great authors in one great book!

I would be delighted to win a copy.

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

scottsgal said...

I'm so excited that the Christmas themed books are starting to come out - love that genre
cheryl in IL

Shopgirl said...

I love Christmas books! I'm in MN.

Linda Kish said...

I just love Christmas stories.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pam K. said...

I really like reading Christmas books. It would be especially fun to win a copy of A Patchwork Christmas because all three authors have met with my book club in Lindsborg, Kansas. They are very nice ladies who write wonderful books.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of their book.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Katie said...

I would love to win! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Melody said...

Just this week Hallmark was announcing when their Christmas movies would be begin and I got so excited! Now Christmas looovvveee stories!

Live in Donna, TX

Mary Preston said...

Christmas stories are among my favorites. A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS looks like such wonderful reading.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

rubynreba said...

Christmas books are always my favorite. This looks so very good!
Beth from IA

Stephanie Grace Whitson said...

Judy, Nancy, and I have a treasure hunt contest running on our web sites to celebrate the release of this book. You collect a word from each of our web sites. Easy and OBVIOUS on our home pages. e-mail the 3 words to the address provided. That's it. We are giving away a finished sample of each of the craft projects. That's a pair of hand-knit mittens, a crazy quilt Christmas ornament, and a doll quilt. Three winners. So visit one of the web sites and please join in! tell your friends!

Diana Gardner said...

Looks great. Please enter me in the drawing. Portsmouth, VA

Anonymous said...

Would love to win...enter me.

Gail Mundy

ASC Book Reviews said...

I am SO ready for Christmas!!! I wish we could skip halloween, go straight into Thanksgiving, and jump right into Christmas!

Please enter me!

Amada Chavez, NM

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks and sounds interesting!!
Enter me!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

holdenj said...

This is my favorite time of year, when the holiday books come out early enough to have time to read them before it gets crazy! Thanks!
Julie in MN

Anne Payne said...

I actually read my first Christmas book of the season over two weeks ago! Crazy, I know but I LOVE Christmas stories :) Thanks for the opportunity to win this one. I admire all of these writers and look forward to reading their collaborative effort.

Anne, rural NC

Sharon Richmond said...

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

Unknown said...

Love reading Christmas books and the cover is beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.

Kay from NY
msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

i would love to win a Patchwork Christmas for my Mom who is a living testimony that miracles are still happening today. She loves the 3-in-1 novels the best. Thanks, Lena

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Jackie Tessnair said...

I love Christmas stories.I so want to win this book.Please enter me.Great interviews.Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Quilts make me think of my mom and grandma who loved making them. I also love Christmas books and these three authors! :-)

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

Cindy W. said...

I love Christmas and especially love Christmas books. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Nancee said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. I'm a quilter, and love Christmas themed books. Thanks for offering this giveaway!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Great! Please enter me! Thanks and God Bless!

Blanch, N.C.

Evlin said...

Looks like a wonderful book. I enjoy reading Christmas stories. Thank you for the giveaway.

Kevlin from NY
prettyinpurplerose(at)aol(dot)com

Kristie said...

I love Christmas books!!! I don't usually read anthologies but I might make an exception for this one. Sounds like you all are great friends and work well together. As a writer you have to have a tough skin and maybe my best friend would hurt my feelings. Kristie from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Lane Hill House said...

I hope I'm not too late!! I would love to win A Patchwork Christmas! Kathleen ~ Missouri
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net