WHEN THE HEART HEALS - Ann Shorey - One Free Book

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

2014 will bring the release of the third book in the Sisters at Heart series, Love’s Sweet Beginning, along with a novella in a collection with fabulous authors Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Jane Kirkpatrick. I really enjoyed my venture into novella writing—it was a first for me. I hope to have opportunity to write another one . . . or two . . . or three!

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband and I are empty nesters. We have three grown daughters and three grandchildren.

We currently share our home with our loveable dog, Amber. She’s a Belgian Malinois (they resemble German Shepherds, but are somewhat smaller overall). She stays next to my desk all day to keep me from getting lonely while I’m writing.

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

A writing instructor told me once that writing would spoil reading for me. While that hasn’t quite happened (I’m sure nothing could spoil the pleasure I get from reading), I do read with an editor’s eye, and also tend to go back over well written passages to deconstruct how the author put the scene together. But when I’m caught up in a story, I just read for fun, like everyone else.

It took me a while after I started writing and being published before I could turn my internal editor off when I’m reading, but I was able to finally. What are you working on right now?

At the moment, I’m doing edits for the novella, and awaiting edits for Love’s Sweet Beginning.

What outside interests do you have?

My outside interests are, well, outside. J I love to walk our dog along our country road, I enjoy hiking, beach walks, and camping with my husband, and love to work in my flower garden. My “inside” interest is, of course, reading. I always have a book or two going.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

There’s always a smidgen of my family history in my books, so the settings are places where my ancestors lived. My husband and I have enjoyed our research trips to Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. My great-grandparents came over the Oregon Trail, so I’m thinking about setting a future book or books in the places they traveled through.

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

Even though she’s not a famous historical person, I’d love to spend an evening with my great-great grandmother and have her tell me her story. Her mother died when she was three, her father left her with one of his sisters and ran off to Texas with Austin’s Original Three Hundred. She married a circuit riding preacher when she was fourteen and he was thirty. They settled in Illinois just a few years after the Blackhawk War. Don’t you imagine she’d have a fascinating story to tell?

I’m sure. I love to hear stories from my ancestors, too. What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I didn’t realize how much time my writing would take from my family. Deadlines can come at inconvenient moments. No matter how well I think I’ve planned my schedule, there are occasions I’ve had to pass on family plans to focus on a project.

I dislike those times, too. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I love this question! I believe He’s teaching me that not all obstacles are meant to be overcome. He puts some of them in my path because He wants to redirect my steps. I’m learning to listen much more closely during my devotional times.

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

At the top of the list is “persevere.” Don’t give up. Keep writing.

Second, attend all the classes and conferences you can afford. Keep learning and improving your craft.

Third, don’t stall out on your first project. If you get nothing but rejections, learn from them and start something new. The third novel I wrote was the first one to be published. The other two . . . well, they’re comfortable on a shelf.

Tell us about the featured book.

Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and even downright vulgar. Although she would like to put that part of her life behind her, she needs to support herself. She takes a nursing position with Dr. Elijah Stewart, but whenever they are together they always seem to do or say the wrong things. When someone threatens Rosemary, will she find the courage to stand or will she leave town—and Elijah—forever?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Noble Springs, Missouri

February, 1867

Rosemary Saxon startled awake. Downstairs, her dog sounded like he was attempting to burst through the front door. His bark was one continuous “rawr rawr rawr,” interspersed with deep growls.

A glance out the window told her daylight waited somewhere beyond the horizon. She flung her wrapper over her shoulders and tiptoed down to the entryway. Her heart thudded in her throat at skittering noises on the porch.

Crouching next to Bodie, she placed her hand on the raised fur along his back. “Shh. We’re fine.” She inched to the window and peered through a corner of the lace curtain. Blackness.

Bodie growled low in his chest. Her pulse gradually slowed as she stroked his velvety ears, reassured by this solid presence next to her. Anything that got through her locked door wouldn’t get past Bodie.

I can’t wait to see what is beyond the door. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My webpage is www.annshorey.com.

Find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey?fref=ts.  

I’m also on Twitter (Ann_Shorey) and on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/annshorey

Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Lena! I’ve enjoyed visiting with you.

And I always enjoy having you drop by. Thank you, Ann, for sharing your life and story with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
When the Heart Heals: A Novel (Sisters at Heart) - paperback
When the Heart Heals (Sisters at Heart Book #2): A Novel - Kindle


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Remember, my book Maggie's Journey is still a FREE download in all ebook formats until February 12.