Bio: Sandra Robbins, former teacher and principal, is an award-winning, multi-published author of Christian fiction who
lives with her husband in the small college town where she grew up. Angel of the Cove, her first book in the
Harvest House Publishers historical romance series Smoky Mountain Dreams,
released in August, 2012, and was recently named the 2013 winner in the
Inspirational Standalone Category of the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Mountain Homecoming, the second in the
series, released in March 2013. The third book Beyond These Hills will release in September. In April 2013
Summerside released A Lady’s Choice which
chronicles the plight of suffragists who picketed the White House to gain the
vote for women.
How did you come up
with the idea for this story?
I grew up in a family that is very interested in politics.
My parents never took their right to vote for granted and taught their children
to be thankful for living in a country where any person could cast their vote
for the candidate of their choice. When I became aware of the hardships the
American suffragists faced in their fight for women’s right to vote, I knew I
had to write a story to tell of their struggles. A Lady’s Choice became
that book.
If you were planning
a party with Christian authors of contemporary fiction, what six people would
you invite and why?
This question made me smile because I just attended a party
with six authors two weeks ago. My local writers’ group is a small group of
eight authors who meet once a month. Some of us are multi-published, and others
are still trying to sell that first manuscript. We decided it would be fun to
have a retreat with just our group. So we rented a cabin for three days at Kentucky Lake and made all the plans.
Unfortunately, only six of the eight were able to make it, but we had a great time
with our workshops, critiquing and brainstorming sessions, and devotionals. We
all came away knowing that God had placed us together so we could help each
other to proclaim His word through our stories to the world. You may not know
some of the women yet, but you will. The six Ken/Ten writers who attended were
Susan Page Davis, Kathy Cretsinger, Regina Merrick, Rene Yancy, Laurean Brooks , and me. If I were to plan
another party, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather invite than these people, but
I’d sure want the other two Pam Harris and Robin Stevens to be there, too.
I’ve been on a writer’s
retreat for historical writers with Susan Page Davis . I know how much fun she can be. Now
let’s do that for a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six
people would you invite and why?
Since Kathy Cretsinger and Susan Davis write historical, I’d
invite them along with Dorothy Love, Janelle Mowery, Lisa Ludwig, and you, Lena . I think we’d have a wonderful time together.
I know this one would
be a wonderful party. I love all these ladies, including you, too. Many times,
people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published.
What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
When I was unpublished, I thought there would be no more
problems if I could see that first book. Of course, I found out differently.
Now I find that at times I am very impatient. When my agent sends out a
proposal and editors don’t respond as quickly as I think they should, I have to
remind myself that God is in control. I can’t do anything to speed up the
process. Waiting for an answer can be difficult for me.
I’m between contracts
right now, so I know what you’re talking about. The only thing that keeps me
going is knowing that God is in control. Tell us about the featured book.
A Lady’s Choice tells the story of Sarah Whittaker, a young
girl who has been raised in a home where both her parents supported suffrage.
When she accompanies her dying mother back to the rural community where she
grew up, Sarah meets Alex Taylor who is home for the summer after finishing law
school. They fall in love, but Alex’s plans call for him to go to work for a Memphis law firm that
opposes suffrage. After her mother’s death, Sarah returns to Memphis where she grew up and becomes
involved in the local suffrage movement while Alex begins his job at the law
firm. Sarah’s journey takes her from Memphis to Washington , DC ,
where she joins other suffragists to demonstrate at the White House gates. When
she is arrested and sentenced to Occoquan Workhouse and the cruel treatment of
its inmates, Sarah is near death. Alex hopes he can arrive to help Sarah before
it is too late.
Wow! Sounds like a
wonderful read. Please give us the first page of the book.
June 1916
None of the Saturday afternoon
customers seemed to notice when she slipped out the front door of Weston’s
General Store. That suited Sarah Whittaker fine. If one more person asked her
how she liked living in Richland Creek, she might very well forgo her resolve
to endure her present situation and tell them what she really thought.
Thankful to be free of the buzz of
activity inside, she leaned on the railing around the front porch of the white clapboard building and
closed her eyes. The afternoon heat enveloped her and threatened to suck the
breath from her body. What she wouldn’t give to be sitting in the shade of the
big trees in their backyard in Memphis .
There was probably a cool breeze rustling the leaves right now as it rolled up
the bluff from the Mississippi River .
But she wasn’t in Memphis . She was in a place called Richland Creek , Tennessee .
With a sigh, Sarah glanced up and
down the dirt street that ran the length of the small settlement. Her mother
called it a town, but to Sarah’s way of thinking there wasn’t much here to
qualify it as such. She let her gaze travel over what the locals considered the
rural community’s center of activity.
I can hardly wait
until my copy of the book comes. How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at my website http://sandrarobbins.net or email me at sandra@sandrarobbins.net. They can
also find me at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Thank you, Sandra, for sharing your new book with us today.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
A Lady's Choice (American Tapestries series)
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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, 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
33 comments:
Good morning Sandra, this sounds like a good story to write about, I would be most interested in reading. Politics today is way different from the days when our forefathers ran the country. I am hoping it can get better before the country is ruined beyond redemption...
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a reader in Ga
Oh my! Sandra's book sounds like a read for me. Great interview!
Amy C
VA
I love stories about the suffrage movement! Thanks for sharing her new book!
Heidi, CA
Hi Paula. You're right about politics being different from days gone by. That's why I think we should never take our right to vote for granted. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Sandra Robbins
Hi Amy. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. Maybe you'll be the winner of A Lady's Choice.
Sandra Robbins
Hi Heidi. I loved researching and writing this book. I think we all need to be reminded of what the women in the suffrage movement suffered so that we could have the right to vote.
Sandra Robbins
I am so glad you are giving me a chance to win your book. You and Lena had a great interview. I really adore
your cover.God bless you.
Norma S. from Ohio
I would love to win a copy of, "A Lady's Choice" to give to my church library.
Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
Wow - this sounds very interesting, Sandra! I'd love to win a copy of it. Thanks for the shout out! We did have fun, didn't we?
Hi Norma. I adore the cover of the book, too. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Maybe you'll be the winner.
Sandra Robbins
Hi Janet. I would love for your church library to have a copy of the book, too. Maybe you'll be the winner.
Sandra Robbins
Hi Renee. Thanks for dropping by. We had a great time at the retreat. That breakfast casserole you made was delicious.
Sandra
A LADY'S CHOICE certainly does sound like a wonderful read. I enjoyed the first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
What a beautiful book cover Sandra! The book sounds wonderful and thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear 52 AT yahoo DOT com
This is a topic I have not read much about and an author I have not read. It all sounds very intriguing. sharon, oceanside, ca
This book sounds spectacular! Thanks for this opportunity.
Jean Kropid
West Palm Beach, FL
definitely a book I would enjoy thanks for the chance
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
love the cover. thanks for chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I'm late to the party, but would love a chance to win. Thanks for the chance and the great post.
Marianne in Arizona
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
Looks like a good read!
Rebekah TN
Loved Angel of the Cove and look forward to more by Sandra!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
I would like to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville Tx
Wow! This sounds like an amazing book. Please enter me in the contest.
Brittany M.
kbmceuen@yahoo.com
Lena, Sandra, I enjoyed this interview and the book sounds like the next best seller. Historicals are my favorite reading.
I enjoyed the time we spent at the retreat. All the ladies' critiques on my WIP were right on target.
God bless the Works of His own hands. Psalms 138:8(Paraphrased)
Wow! Sounds like a powerful story! I would love to read this one for sure!
Jasmine A. in MT
I love the cover and it sounds interesting!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.
This sounds like a good book, thank you for the chance to win it.
Wendy from FL
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Please include me in the drawing, I intend to find Angel in the Cove.
historical novels are favorites of mine. Thank you! Judy Cooper in Louisiana.
Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I would love to read this! History and women's issues together - must have been fascinating to research!!
I enjoyed the interview and the first page of the book. Look forward to reading this.
Beth from Iowa
Enter me! Thanks!
Blanch, N.C.
I love Sandra's books but I've never read one of her historical novels. Please add me, A Lady's Choice sounds really interesting. Thanks!
Merry in TX
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