THE TUTOR'S DAUGHTER - Julie Klassen - One Free Book (on this blog) Plus Facebook Party

Meet Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I am a big believer in writing the types of books you personally enjoy reading. I love books that sweep me away to another time and place, that intrigue me and make me want to figure out what’s going on, that have complex, flawed characters, romantic tension, and uplifting themes. So that’s what I set out to write.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That’s tough--so many to choose from! Perhaps the day I was offered a job with Bethany House Publishers (talk about a kid in a candy store!), or the day our son was born.

How has being published changed your life?

I feel like I am able to be more “myself” than I have ever been. After years of procrastinating, I find it very fulfilling and freeing to (finally!) be doing what I believe God wired me to do, and for His glory.

What are you reading right now?

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.

What is your current work in progress?

I am working on my next stand-alone Regency novel for Bethany House Publishers.  Sign-up for my email list (via my web site) or follow me on Facebook to learn more details as they become available.

What would be your dream vacation?

A month-stay in a cottage in the Cotswolds, with a car to take daytrips all over England.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

From research, places I’ve visited, or places I would like to visit. For example, The Tutor’s Daughter in set in Cornwall. I have wanted to visit the southwest coast of England (and possibly set a book there) for some time. I was introduced to Cornwall through the novels of Victoria Holt and Daphne Du Maurier. Cornwall was known to be a rather lawless place--a world of pirates, shipwrecks, and smugglers. My husband and I had the opportunity to travel there in 2011. We found Cornwall to be not only dark and stormy as we expected, but also home to palm trees and a sub-tropical climate. I had no idea England had palm trees until I began researching the area. We stayed in a town called Bude, right on the coast. From our hotel, we could see a red brick manor house high on a cliff across the harbor. I was intrigued by it and instantly thought, “I want to set a book there someday.” I asked a local woman for the name of the house, began researching it when we returned home, and based my fictional manor on the place.

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

I would find it fascinating to talk with screenwriter Andrew Davies (who has adapted so many Jane Austen novels for the screen). Or perhaps Emma Thompson for similar reasons. I won’t say actor Colin Firth, for I’m fairly certain my husband wouldn’t approve. J

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Watching Masterpiece Theatre or BBC costume dramas. Walking. Watching my sons play basketball. Traveling—when I can!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

The hardest part for me is getting started. I tend to procrastinate at the beginning of a new book and struggle to gain momentum. I find setting goals and having accountability partners (other writers) help get me over the hump. And nothing gets the fingers flying like a rapidly approaching deadline!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

As I said, I am a big believer in writing the types of books you personally enjoy reading. So, I would suggest choosing the genre you most like to read and know the best. I would also advise you to keep your derriere in the chair and tough it out until you write a complete first draft. It’s probably the hardest thing about being an author. Until you do, you will never know if you have what it takes—or would even truly want—to be a writer. I would also encourage writers to study the basics (point of view, plotting, characterization, etc.) online, at a writer’s conference, or with a local writer’s group. Once you have written a first draft, have well-read friends or a critique group read the manuscript and revise it based on their feedback before submitting it to an agent or editor. Writing is a lot of work, but definitely worth the effort.

Tell us about the featured book.

When their boarding school fails, Emma Smallwood accompanies her tutor-father into Cornwall to the manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Emma hears someone playing the pianoforte at night, but finds the music room empty. Then someone begins sneaking into her room, leaving behind strange mementoes. When the suspicious acts escalate into danger, Emma must figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart.

I'm reading the book right now and loving it Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.

LONGSTAPLE, DEVONSHIRE

1812

Something is amiss, Emma thought, immediately upon entering her tidy bedchamber. What is it . . . ?

            She scanned the neatly made bed, orderly side table, and dressing chest. . . . There. She stepped forward, heart squeezing.

            In the special teacup she kept as decoration nestled a clutch of tiny pink roses. The flowers had likely been picked from her aunt’s garden next door, but they had been picked for her, and they had been picked by him, and that was all that mattered.

            She knew instantly who had left them—Phillip Weston. Her favorite from among her father’s many pupils. And likely the only one who knew it was her birthday—her sixteenth. How much kinder Phillip was than his older brother, Henry, who had boarded with them a few years before.

            Emma carefully lifted the cup, bringing the flowers to her nose and breathing in the fragrance of apple-sweet roses and fresh greenery. Mmm . . . She held the cup away, admiring how the flowers’ pink petals and green leaves brought out the colorful painting on its side.

            She found herself thinking back to the day her mother had given her this teacup three years before. The very day Henry Weston had nearly broken it. . . .

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can sign up for my email list via www.julieklassen.com or follow me on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Julie-Klassen/102060596587055 .

Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• Downton Abbey, Season 3
• A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Thank you, Julie, for spending this time with us today.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Tutor's Daughter, The - paperbackl
The Tutor's Daughter - 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