I met Sharon Lavy several years ago and quickly came to love her and her sweet spirit. It's my great pleasure to introduce her debut novel.
Welcome, Sharon. Tell us how much of
yourself you write into your characters.
I don’t intentionally write myself into any of my
characters. I may have when I first began writing but it doesn’t take long
before they let me know that they have minds of their own.
However it was an incident from my own life that cause me to
write Dreaming of a Father’s Love. Let me tell you about that.
We
live in a world where many young people are searching to find themselves. But
some know what they want to do with their life from a very early age. Our
firstborn son was one of these people.
Ivan was one and a half years old when we moved to Ohio and began our farming operation. By the time he was six he jogged behind his father, up and down the field. We didn't have cabs on the tractors yet and my husband wouldn't let Ivan ride on the tractor for fear he would fall and be hurt or killed. So I could often look out the kitchen window and see our small son racing behind the tractor hour after hour.
When he was
nine, Ivan began to drive a tractor. His little head barely high enough to see
over the steering wheel. By seventh grade he called home everyday at lunchtime.
His friends
teased."Calling your girlfriend?"
"No,"
he'd say. "I'm calling my mom to see what Dad's doing on the farm."
We think
that's pretty neat when a son wants to follow his daddy's footsteps. But what
if this child was a girl? What encouragement would we give her?
Gary and I
married at a young age. We knew nothing about the realities of life. Who does
at this age? We grew up along with our children. One of our daughters was– well
prissy– and the farm held no fascination for her. Another daughter was a real
tomboy.
One day in
those early years, my husband planned to go somewhere and take our son along.
One of our daughters asked if she could go.
Her father
said, "No, you better stay here with Mommy."
Later I
asked Gary
privately, "Why didn't you take her with you?"
"I
can't help it she's a girl," was his reply.
"Do
you want her to not like being a girl?" I asked.
We learned
how to be parents in a day when boys did this and girls did that. Our own
children taught us so much. But what if . . . and with that the story of
Roberta Alexander was born.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
If quirky means unusual, I asked my Mother-in-Love to move
in with us two years ago when she started falling and not able to get up by
herself.
I totally understand
that. My father-in-law suffered from senility, and we had him in our home for
about three years before he went to be with the Lord. When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I became a writer when I was first taught to use my little
pencil. Writing is how I communicate best and how I make sense of my world.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love mystery and suspense. I love lawyer books. I love
reading about relationships. Maybe that is why I like Lewis L’Amour. I will
read romance, but it is not normally what I pick up for pleasure. (Unless it is
Romantic Suspense.)
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Good question. I rely on the Lord Jesus to keep me balanced.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I know this sounds strange, but it is just like naming the
children. It just happens.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Being a wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a big cat. They are graceful, they rule the roost,
and they generally are not considered food.
What is your favorite
food?
Cheese.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
For me writing is not a problem. But when I decided I should
write fiction that became a problem. I had to overcome the idea that writing
fiction is not a respectable way to spend my time. The first time I attended an
ACFW conference I learned that is not true. God gave me the desire to write,
and anything that is a gift from God is respectable.
Tell us about the
featured book.
A young woman of the1970's, Birdie Alexander’s first love is
the family business: Her goal is to manage it one day. She hero worships her
father, but he doesn't take her ideas seriously. He expects her to get married
eventually, and as a good Christian wife he would expect her to quit her job.
In the novel, Dreaming of a Father's Love, three
young women take different paths to find the father's love and respect they
crave. Their personalities and the times in which they develop bring them to
the edge of those expectations.
Sara Brubaker was
two years old when a German Baptist couple adopted her. She has become a
beautiful woman, and works as a secretary for Alexander's. Now she's torn
between wanting to live in the normal world of fun and fashion, or joining the
Dunkards to truly belong with her adoptive family.
Birdie Alexander
thinks if she works at the family business hard enough and long enough she will
gain her father's love. Can she learn a thing or two from the German Baptist
secretary? Irene West is Birdie's lifelong Sunday school friend.
Irene misses
having a father figure around, and is very boy crazy, which causes Birdie to
struggle with the friendship and Irene to struggle with life.
How much will Berta risk to hold onto her own will and
self-righteousness? Will losing her job wake her up? Losing a lifelong friend?
A brother? Or will it take losing the very presence of God?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
The
One
She’d been called Birdie for so many years, that when the superintendent called on Roberta Mona Alexander to give the Valedictorian speech, she didn’t respond.
If a classmate hadn’t jabbed her and whispered, “That’s you,” Birdie might have missed the second call as well.
The following morning, as Birdie entered the conservatory that housed her father’s experimental plants, the rest of her life stretched before her. The lyrics of Helen Reddy’s song, “I Am Woman,” raced in her mind. And like a jolt of lightning, elation surged through her body.
How can readers find you
on the Internet.
You can find me on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonALavy
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/OldOrderTweeter
And at www.sharonalavy.comThank you, Sharon, for sharing your life and your new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Dreaming of a Father's Love: A Tale From the Ohio Valley - paperback
Dreaming of a Father's Love (A Tale from the Ohio Valley) - 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
30 comments:
OOOh a debut author! Thanks Lena for introducing Sharon. i loved that she told how she got the idea for this book. I am a farmer(ette?) so totally understood her. Thanks for the chance to win (and yes, Lena, i see this is not an ebook, so would like to enter.)
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
ANGELA FROM KY WOULD LOVE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
Good morning Lena and Sharon,
I have not read this author before and good to read your comments and the interview with her.
I never had a strong relationship with my dad they just did not get close to family only worked hard to provide. I would love to read this story of daughters and their love of their dads.
thanks for sharing
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
A Ga reader
Oops forgot to say i am
Marianne from nothern Alberta!
New author to me and she likes Romantic Suspense. Is Sharon Lavy a Mennonite? I ask because of her cap. I think one of her books would be very good. I would love to win. sharon, san diego
This sounds like a great book! I would love to win! :)
Hannah Peasha
CA
Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
Hi Sharon,
A really great interview with Lena. So your though is that we are living in a world where young people are searching to find them self. I am glad to hear that you rely on the Lord Jesus. The book is about young women in1970's. Birdie Alexander's first love in family business. Three young women takes different paths in there father's love. Sounds like a great book. I can't wait to read it.
God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio
Love to win a copy of this book!
Thanks!
Patricia from Southeast Texas
Dreaming of a Father's Love sounds like a really good book, would love to win.
Lourdes Long Island, NY
Thank you so much for your comments. I am a member of The Old German Baptist Brethren Church. I know, that is a mouth full, isn't it? We have a lot of things similar to Mennonites but you can find out more about us here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_German_Baptist_Brethren
Lena, you don't have to put my name in to win Sharon's book. I have a copy, but I do want to say how much I enjoyed reading it. The more I read the more I wanted to find out how the girls' lives turned out. Sharon did a great job w/this women's fiction.
I've only recently "met" Sharon, but have come to like and respect her. I've been wanting to read this book. Hearing about Sharon's daughter's story being "behind" the story makes me want to read it more. Thanks for sharing with us.
I would love to read DREAMING OF A FATHER'S LOVE thank you. A wonderful interview.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love the cover of Dreaming of a Father's Love and would love to win a copy. Thank you for your generosity.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
I love this interview because it has shown me more about my friend, Sharon, who is such a kind person.
Thank you, Sharon and Lena, for a wonderful interview. I love the book!
And Lena, as usual, you have done a wonderful job. I love Lena's books, too! :)
I have the book! Just wanted to comment.
Exciting! I didn't know this was a giveaway--just curious about Sharon's book. And of course I'd much rather win it than buy it! :) Interesting subject...looking forward to reading it.
~Ronda from Michigan
I didn't know I was going to share the "daughter" story behind this. But before I published I did let her read this message because it was in my queries that I had sent to agents. Only in that one I said one of my daughers was ... well prissy. She said she didn't ever remember wanting to go in the stinky truck. LOL.
But our second daughter followed after her daddy and helped him do chores in the hog barn and the whole nine yards. We learn a lot as we grow up as parents!!
Ah, yes, growing up a tomboy. And I doubt I've outgrown it. What an opening page, love it!
What fun to learn about the story behind the story, and more about you, Sharon! Great interview, and it makes your book sound interesting and insightful. As a fellow Ohioan, I've loved our Christmas gatherings in your big farm house, and it's nice to see what a success your " venture" turned into! Also have to mention that I think the book cover is terrific--really inviting. I pray for showers of blessings on you and your book.
I can hear Sharon's heart in this interview. She was a God-send when she offered to pick me, a stranger, up at the airport when I flew in for Blue Ridge 3 years ago. I got to renew acquaintance at ACFW this year. There's a great need among young people to have their father's love. I would love to win this book.
Thanks for the chance to win this book.
Beth from Iowa
I enjoyed learning about Sharon Lavy. Please enter my name into the drawing for Dreaming Of a Father's Love.
Blessings,
Tammi in Maine
Sharon,
Congratulations on your debut novel! Beautiful cover...
This sounds great! I like the theme about dads and daughters. I'm in MN.
I have this book and loved it. Sharon captured the 70s era so well! And I loved all three women's journey, especially Birdie's.
I would love to win the book, "Dreaming of a Father's Love" by Sharon Lavy.
It would be a wonderful addition to our church library shelves.
Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
thanks for chance to win Dreaming of a Father's Love
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I am so honored to see that Amazon has put DREAMING OF A FATHER's LOVE (paperback) on sale for $10.20. I do not know how long this special price will last.
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