Tuesday, October 30, 2012

SOMEWHERE TO CALL HOME - Janet Lee Barton - One Free Book

Welcome, Janet. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I feel the Lord called me to write the kind of books I do. I hope my stories are uplifting and that they touch reader's hearts and in someway draw the reader closer to the Lord.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my daughter was born was the happiest day in my life after I became a Christian.

How has being published changed your life?
I'm not sure it's changed that much, other than it gives me great joy to write and to hear how something I've written has touched a reader's life. I sometimes have to work daily life around my writing or maybe I should say work my writing around my daily life.

What are you reading right now?
I'm so behind in my reading! I've been reading the Love Inspired Historical Irish Brides series about three sisters who come to America. I'm enjoying their journey!

I read that series. It was very good. What is your current work in progress?
Right now I'm waiting on edits for the second story in what I call my Heaton House series, tentatively called, To Trust Her Heart. And I'm working on the third book in the series that takes place in late 1890's New York City.

What would be your dream vacation?
I'm the only one in my family who has been to Hawaii and I'd love to have a family vacation there.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Up until this series, I always chose places I'd lived, that I was familiar with. But after 9/11, seeing how New Yorkers reached out to help each other, I felt drawn to the city and its history. Then I started getting ideas and began researching and the Lord gave me the idea for a series. I love writing these stories set in New York City at a time when women began joining the workforce in large numbers. I like being able to set stories in so many places in the city, and telling stories about the poor, the rich, and the middle class and tying them all together with a boardinghouse.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I think it would be President George Bush. I think he dealt with so much in such an honorable way, and I have such respect for him and his wife. So If I could spend time with them as a couple that would be even better.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to cook, sew, and do crafts. I just don't have enough time to do it all.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Procrastination. I've found that if I start writing as soon as I get up, I get much more accomplished. And for me, if I get that word count in early, I don't feel guilty about doing other things in the day. Then if I can write more later in the day, if feels like icing on the cake.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
 Just write. Get that book finished. You can't edit and polish what you haven't written.

Tell us about the featured book. (I love your cover.)
Somewhere to Call Home is about Violet Burton, a young woman who finds her home is owned by the bank after her mother passes away. When the banker tries to blackmail her into marrying him to get her home free and clear, she takes one of her mother's friends up on her offer to stay with her and find work in New York City to pay off the mortgage. Thinking all she really wants is to have her family home back, she isn't prepared to enjoy living in the city so much—or to find herself so attracted to her landlady's son, Michael Heaton. But Violet must learn that home is where her heart is.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
May 1895, Ashland, Virginia

            Violet Burton sighed with disappointment as she left the mercantile. How could things have changed so much in such a short time? Only moments ago, on her way to the post office, there'd been a help wanted sign in the store's window and another one in the milliner's shop. Evidently, she wasn't the only one seeking employment in her small hometown, for both positions were filled by the time she got through picking up her mail.

            She walked along the main street, her gaze searching the windows of the businesses on each side of the street. When she spotted a sign in the café across the way, a flicker of hope nudged her to gather up her skirts to clear them from the dirt road and hurry across. However, just before she reached the door, the sign was yanked right out of the window. Violet's hope sank once more but she entered the establishment anyway.

      She walked over to the proprietor who was putting the sign

How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at www.janetleebarton.com
On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/JanetLeeBarton

Thank you, Janet, for sharing this book with us. I've read it and loved it. I know my readers will love it, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) - paperback
Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) - 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

45 comments:

Jo said...

I would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

Blessings,

Jo from Southern Arizona

azladijo(at)aol(d0t)com

Amy C said...

Somewhere to Call Home sounds really great!
Amy C
VA

Unknown said...

Thanks, Janet and Lena for a fun interview, and the chance to win!


Marianne from Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Unknown said...

Thanks, Janet and Lena for a fun interview, and the chance to win!


Marianne from Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Anonymous said...

I WOULD BE BLESSED TO WIN A COPY OF SOMEWHERE TO CALL HOME. ANGELA FROM KY

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville Tx

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks for visiting Jo, Amy, Marianne, Anonymous and Lyndie! I loved writing Somewhere to Call Home and am glad you like the sound of it!

Rhonda Gibson said...

Wonderful interview Janet and Lena! Janet this is a great book, I love the way you brought New York alive for your readers!

Jacqueline Wheelock said...

Janet,
I am REALLY looking forward to this book. My feathers fell when I tried to get it on Kindle and it wasn't quite ready. All best to you and Lena. Very good interview.

Patty said...

Looking for work is always a daunting task!
Thanks for the chance to win Somewhere to call Home.

Patty in SC

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Rhonda, Jacqueline, and Patty! I hope everyone thinks I bring turn of the century New York City to life like you do, Rhonda. I do love writing about it. :)

Lorraine Beatty said...

Anxious to read this one, Janet. I love stories where the characters step out of their comfort zones and find new dreams.

Lori B

Lorraine Beatty said...

Anxious to read this one, Janet. I love stories where the characters step out of their comfort zones and find new dreams.

Lori B

spangldlady said...

Janet, I would love to win a copy of Somewhere to Call Home. As always Lena's interview is great. Please put my name in the drawing! I live in Springfield, MO and am enjoying the color in God's world. Blessings!
Darlene

spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

ASC Book Reviews said...

I would LOVE to win this book! Please enter me!

Amada, NM

Sparks of Ember said...

This book sounds like fun!

From the black hills of SD!

scottsgal said...

I can't wait to get back to hawaii - great vacation choice! Sounds like a book I'd really enjoy
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Katie said...

Sounds wonderful! Please enter me! I'm from NC.

Katie said...

Sounds wonderful! Please enter me! I'm from NC.

Aaron McCarver said...

Hey Janet,
I have read this book (so Lena, you can exclude me from the drawing) and I LOVED it! You did such a great job, Janet, with making me feel I was reading about a small community with the boardinghouse even though the story was set in the metropolis of New York City. And I loved the scenes when they went to different parts of the city. It was great getting to see what the city was like at that time. I know a LOT of research was involved in that! I am looking forward to the second Heaton House book.

pol said...

thanks for the interview and your comments Janet, the book looks like a great story, it will be interesting to find out if she comes back home or starts life with someone new is a new city. I think I would be tempted to stay there and just sell the old homestead. she had courage though to go and attempt to find monies to pay the mortgage.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga reader

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone and for commenting!
Aaron, I am so very glad you liked Somewhere to Call Home!
And I hope it lives up to your expectations, Lori,spangldlady, Amanda, LadySatome, scotsgal, Katie G and pol!

Diane Ashley said...

Sorry to be commenting so late. Like you, Janet, I sometimes struggle with procrastination. I love your cover, and the book sounds so fascinating. I can't wait to read it.

Diane from MS

Jasmine A. said...

Thanks for the interesting interview, I enjoyed reading it. Jasmine is rainy northwest Montana

Anonymous said...

enjoyed reading interview
sse6@juno.com

apple blossom said...

love the love inspired books thanks for a chance to win
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Ginger Solomon said...

I'm not sure I've ever read any of Janet's books. I would love the opportunity to read this one.

Ginger in AL

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks so much for stopping by Diane, Jasmine, appleblossom, Ginger and Anonymous! I can't wait to see who wins a copy. :)

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

Nathanael Richmond said...

Enter Me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

I love the storyline, it is very original. Interesting interview. Thank you for this giveaway. I would love to go to Hawaii!


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Judy Cooper said...

Please enter me in the contest. I know I would enjoy the book. Thank you. Judy C. in Louisiana

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and entering to win a copy of Somewhere to Call Home, Sarah, Nathanael, Sharon, Carol and Judy!

Virginia Vaughan said...

Great interview, Janet and Lena. Can't wait to read this story, Janet.

Janet Lee Barton said...

Thanks, Ginger!

rubynreba said...

The story sounds great. Please enter me.
Beth from Iowa

sharon m. said...

Would like to win Somewhere to Call Home. san diego, ca

Mary Preston said...

SOMEWHERE TO CALL HOME sounds like a fabulous read. I enjoyed the first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

spangldlady said...

I was intrigued by the great interview and that cover is fabulous. Janet, I haven't read your books but would love the chance to win this one. Please count me in! Blessings! Darlene from MO

spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

Shopgirl said...

I love stories where the woman has to make her own way in the world and find out what she's made of! This sounds great! I'm in MN.

bonnie said...

Sounds like a wonderful book!

bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

Diana Gardner said...

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

Merry said...

What a heart tugging beginning! I'd love to be entered for Somewhere to Call Home. Thanks!
Merry in TX

Jes said...

Congratulations on your first LIH! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com