CAMELLIA - Diane T Ashley, Aaron McCarver - One Free Book

God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

 More books. Aaron and I enjoy writing together. We look forward to many more years of working on new projects.

Yes, we have some things in the pipeline now with our agent. We will tell more when we can.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married to a fantastic man, Gene, who is an auditor at a large local hospital. I have a brother (Mitch) who is a lawyer here in Mississippi. He’s been kind enough to let me set up a working office in his building. My sister (Vicki) lives in central Florida and has a really “cool” job – her own shaved ice business.

My dad still lives in Tennessee, in the home he built for my mother shortly after they married. My sister (Marilyn) is married with two college-aged children. She teaches at the elementary school in our home town. My other sister (Ginger) is married and lives in northeast Georgia. She has two grown children and two granddaughters.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I spend more of my reading time doing research, but I do allow myself a little time for entertainment. So many of my friends are writers, and I love reading their books.

Writing has definitely changed my reading habits. I was always a voracious reader before being published. I still read as much Christian fiction, my favorite type of book to read, as I can, but much of my reading is now research, prepping for my college classes I teach, and editing, another job I have.

What are you working on right now?

We are waiting to hear from publishers about our new proposal.

What outside interests do you have?

I enjoy watching television, playing electronic games, and reading.

I love watching classic movies, watching some TV shows, and reading as much as possible.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Aaron is the idea guy, so I’ll let him explain this one.

Ideas usually come to me through history. I may be watching a documentary or visiting a historic home or reading about some past event and will think about the people who lived during that time. I then start thinking of possible stories for these “real” people and come up with ideas for books and series. The settings come with where the events took place.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

I’d love to spend some time with Benjamin Franklin. I would love to know what it was like to live during that time.

 I am going to cheat and name a few. I would love to hear from John the apostle about what it was like being the “disciple who Jesus loved.” I would love to talk to George Washington about the early days of our country. And I would love to talk to George W. Bush about his standing for godly principles when so many were against him.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

When I first started on my own, I found it difficult to think through a whole novel. Once I took a class Aaron taught on writing from an outline, I learned a logical approach that I’m still using. Everything, as I was so naïve. I would have loved to have known that authors go through difficult times like everyone else and your publishers and agents understand and want to help you through these times.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

To lean on Him instead of my own strength.

To trust in His timing and not my own.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Be persistent, patient, and flexible.

Persistence, I agree, is key to being a published author. Also attend conferences like ACFW’s. This is vital. And learn how to network. I do not mean social networking. I am talking about networking at conferences and similar events. As the commercial says, it is priceless.

Tell us about the featured book.

Camellia Anderson misses her life of wealth and privilege. She misses the balls, she misses the suitors. . .and she’s bored with hearing about politics despite the undeniable wave of unrest raging across the South. Then a routine trip to New Orleans brings Thad Watkins—staunch Southern supporter and dashing soldier—into her world, and they begin a whirlwind courtship.

Jonah Thornton is disappointed when he sees Camellia growing closer to Thad. He has admired Camellia from afar even though he knows he is no more than a friend to her. Having questioned the practice of slavery in the past, and without much hope of finding love with Camellia, Jonah heads north to join the Union Army.

When an injury brings Jonah back into Camellia’s life, she is both challenged by and drawn to this man of strong convictions. Suddenly Camellia is torn between two loves—just as the nation is torn between north and south. But is she willing to risk everything—her reputation, her life, and her heart—to save a Union soldier?

Reply

Please give us the first page of the book.

Jonah Thornton did not want to die.

His fingers cramped, and he loosened his grip on the trigger of his Sharps carbine. The butt of the rifle seemed grafted to his shoulder, an extra arm with deadly intent. He bent his head and sighted down the thirty-inch barrel, wondering if he could really pull the trigger. Wondering if he could take the life of another man. He raised his head and moved the rifle back to marching position, heel at waist level, barrel with bayonet over his shoulder.

A twig broke some distance away, and the tempo of Jonah’s heart soared. Was it a scout looking for evidence of the force mustering in the area between the city of Boonville and the Mississippi River? Or a rabbit or deer foraging for an early morning meal?

His awareness stretched outward. Around him, the breaths of his fellow soldiers sounded loud, as did the whisper of gunpowder sliding into the throats of their muskets, followed by the snick of minie balls—a sound as deadly as a rattlesnake’s tail. The moment was fast approaching when he would find out exactly what it meant to fight for his beliefs. Even to the point of risking his life in the protection of those beliefs.

Sweat sprouted on his forehead as he caught the rhythmic cadence of marching feet. The rest of the battalion was about to reach his position between two cornfields on the edge of Boonville.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.dianeashleybooks.com   

Aaron can be found at his author pages at www.barbourbooks.com  or at www.fictionfinders.com

Thank you, Diane and Aaron, for sharing another of your books with us today.

Readers, here is a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog. Camellia: Song of the River 2


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