THE FAIREST BEAUTY - Melanie Dickerson - One Free Book

Welcome back, Melanie. Since I loved the first two books in this series, I've anxiously awaited the release of this book.God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

God really has been moving! Very soon I should be able to make an announcement about a new adult historical romance series with a great Christian publisher, and I am hoping to write more Medieval fairy tale retellings for Zondervan as well. I LOVE writing historical romance from a Christian point of view, and I see myself doing it for many years to come.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married and have two wonderful daughters who make me very proud to be their mom, one in high school and one entering middle school next year. We like to make paper beads and necklaces and bracelets in our free time.

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

I started reading Christian novels for the first time when I started writing again almost ten years ago. I have always loved to read, and while I used to mostly read the classics, I now mostly read books by contemporary authors.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I am working on a Regency novel that is my own personal tribute to Jane Austen’s novels. My heroine’s situation is a cross between Jane Fairfax’s situation in Emma, and Fanny Price’s in Mansfield Park, with a few of my own twists thrown in. 

What outside interests do you have?

I like to make paper beads with my daughters, I like to cook and bake, and I love castles and medieval architecture.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My stories just seem to come to me with the setting already intact. I love medieval settings and the romance of that time period, and certain stories just seem to work for that setting. All of the stories I’ve written so far have been inseparable from their setting, including my Regencies. The setting is a big part of the story and the characters.

I love those kinds of settings best. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Probably Jane Austen, because I think she would be witty and fun and it would be fun to talk writing with her, as she is my favorite novelist.

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

I wish I had known, way back in high school, that if I just persevered, I would get published some day. Then I wouldn’t have stopped writing for fifteen years.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

God is always teaching me to trust him more, and teaching me what’s really important in life. God is also teaching me just how loved I am by him and that he truly can satisfy me, and that I am important to him. That has always been something I had a hard time believing, and for whatever reason, he is really knocking that point home to me lately!

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

Persevere, because only those who persevere succeed in this tough business. Give up the lesser things, like watching TV or playing video games, and make writing a priority. And third, pray and listen to God’s leading.

Tell us about the featured book.

In this young adult retelling of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Melanie Dickerson, a woman arrives in Hagenheim claiming the young woman betrothed to the duke’s son, Valten, is still alive. With Valten injured, his younger brother, Gabe, defies his family to find Sophie himself. When Gabe arrives at the castle, Sophie must make a choice: go to the Cottage of the Seven and fend for herself, or trust the handsome stranger who seems ready to do anything to keep her safe.

This is also a sequel to The Healer’s Apprentice, as the hero, Gabe, is the son of Duke Wilhelm and Rose.

Please give us the first page of the book.

                                                            Prologue

            Pinnosa passed through the town square and the cobblestone Marktplatz. Hagenheim Castle loomed straight ahead. Once she passed the guard at the gatehouse, she would need to find her way to the young lord.

            A chill passed over her thin, old shoulders. This fever, brought on by rain and exhaustion, would probably kill her, but if she could only make it to the castle, could only tell them that Sophie was still alive, Pinnosa’s life would not have been in vain. Perhaps God would forgive her for helping the duchess perpetuate so many lies.

            She plodded forward, wanting to hurry, but she could only force her swollen feet to take slow, mincing steps. Sweat dripped from her eyebrows even as she shivered and fought the urge to drop to the ground, close her eyes, and sleep.

            “Who goes there?”

            Pinnosa stopped, then leaned her head back as far as she could. When she parted her cracked lips, no sound came out. The guard’s face began to blur, her knees trembled, and the ground quickly came up to meet her. Strange how she didn’t … even … feel it.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

You can keep up with all my book news on my facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDickersonBooks and on my website, www.MelanieDickerson.com

Thank you for sharing your story and this story with us Melanie.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Fairest Beauty - paperback
The Fairest Beauty - Kindle


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