Monday, April 01, 2013

ALWAYS REMEMBERED - Janelle Mowery - One Free Book

**Special note: For the last few weeks, several of the winners haven't contacted me about your free books. Go down the right sidebar to the Search field and put "winners" in that field. All the winners posts will open. Check to see if you're on it if you left comments on posts. But remember, you only have 4 weeks to contact me after the winners are posted.**


Welcome back, Janelle. Tell us about your salvation experience.
Every evening after supper, the family would gather in the living room where my mom would read a devotion and my dad would close in prayer. At the age of seven, during one of those devotions, I realized I needed to ask Jesus to be my Savior. My mom led me in the prayer where I accepted Christ as Lord of my life.

I was seven when I asked Jesus to be my Savior, too. You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
The first would be my friend and co-author Elizabeth Ludwig because we’ve shared everything during our writing journey since we met in 2003. Narrowing down a long list to the final three is difficult. I’d love to spend time with so many authors. But I think I’d love to have Kim Sawyer, Francine Rivers, and Tracie Peterson at a retreat because I so admire them, their faith, their writing, and their work ethic.

I love all those women, too. Do you have a speaking ministry?
If so, tell us about that. I wish I had a speaking ministry but I can’t seem to get past my fear of speaking in public.

A lot of authors are like that. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
I’m really struggling to come up with something embarrassing. I seem to do a much better job of embarrassing others … like, I just asked my son if he could think of anything embarrassing about me and he said other than the fact that I manage to mangle my toes from clumsiness, he couldn’t think of anything either.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
I’d tell them that writing a book is an admirable ambition. Then I’d add that they will need to be prepared for plenty of hard work and even more patience because there’s nothing easy or quick about becoming published.

So true. Tell us about the featured book.
Always Remembered is set during the time of the very-well-known battle at the Alamo. It begins a month before the battle and ends shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, when Texas won its independence from Mexico. Much like the movies Pearl Harbor and Titanic, I placed fictional characters into actual historical events in an attempt to help readers see the struggles that were faced during such a turbulent time as they unfold through the eyes of the characters.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Early February 1836

“Let’s go, Mama.”

            Rosa Carter paced in front of the table where her mother sat darning a sock. “Let’s get away from this place. There’s so much of the world yet to be seen. Places much safer than this.”

            “Don’t be silly, Rosa.” Mama glanced up briefly from her sewing. “You know I just got married.” She worked the needle and thread more quickly. “I can’t leave now.”

She stopped directly across the table from her mother, hands on hips. “Didn’t that battle here a couple months ago scare you? It did me. We need to leave before something worse happens.”

            “Battles scare everyone, child. You can’t run from conflict.” She jabbed the needle into the material with force and winced. “Besides, I’m married…”

            Rosa planted her hands on the table and leaned across the worn, wooden planks. “Yes, I know you’re married, but I don’t know why. How could you marry a man who was probably a member of the group who killed my father?”

            Her mother’s slap snaked out faster than a rattler, but Rosa refused the impulse to massage her stinging cheek. “You watch your mouth, Rosa. You may be my daughter, but I’ll not let you speak of my husband like that. Carlos swore to me he wasn’t a part of that massacre. He’s done nothing but work hard to take care of us. You should be thankful rather than sully the name of a good man.”

I can’t wait to read the rest of the story. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can find me on my website, www.janellemowery.com . I’m also on Facebook and Goodreads.

Thank you, Janelle, for sharing this book with us. As a Texan, I'm always interested in books set in Texas, and I love the historical tie-in.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Always Remembered (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

27 comments:

Unknown said...

This novel sounds great. I love to learn about history through novels. Thanks for the post, Lena and Janelle, and for the chance to win. I hope you both have an awesome Monday.

Marianne in Arizona

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Jon and Vicki Marney said...

This sounds like an enjoyable book to read. How fun to learn history, while reading a Christian novel! I would love the opportunity to win a book from you.
Vicki
vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

Janelle said...

Thanks Marianne and Vicki. After writing Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho and Always Remembered...both about real places and events in history...I think I've found a new love of how to write stories. I thoroughly enjoy the research and then wrapping a fictional romance through the real event.

Janelle

scottsgal said...

Western historicals especially set in Texas my homestate are one of my fave genres
cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Heidi Reads... said...

Thanks for sharing this great interview! Looking forward to reading her books!

Heidi, CA

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book.

Bonnie Jean from FL

Janelle said...

I hope everyone enjoys reading Always Remembered even half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Janelle

Norma S said...

Thanks for entering me into hopefully winning your book. I would like to find out if it works out between Rosa Carter and Miles Fitch.Love your cover.God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a good book, thank you for the chance to win it.

Wendy from FL

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

A period in history that is certainly very interesting. ALWAYS REMEMBERED promises to be a great read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Patty said...

I love historical fiction, and don't know much about the Alamo. Would love to read this book.

Patty in SC

Vera Godley said...

I have a daughter that now lives in Texas (military family). I would love to win this and have it sent to her instead of me. When as a mommy of 4 little girls she has a moment to read, she would most likely like to read a historical novel set in her new home area.

godleyv [at]yahoo[dot](com)

apple blossom said...

thanks for the chance to win Janelle's book

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Bookishqueen said...

Looks like a good book.
Rebekah TN

Janelle said...

Vera, if your daughter is in the San Antonio area, I have a book signing at the Lifeway store on April 13 from 1-3. I'd love for her to stop by and say hello. That goes for anyone else, too.

Janelle

rubynreba said...

I've always enjoyed reading about the Alamo since I was a young girl. I'll never forget watching Davy Crockett!
Beth from IA

Diana Flowers said...

I would love to read this book! What a lovely cover! Thank you for letting us know about it and for the opportunity to win it!

Diana in SC

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

I would love to win,Enter me!!!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.

Lyndie Blevins said...

I love Texas History, looking forward to your take on it

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Great! Please enter me! Thanks!

Blanch, N.C.

Library Lady said...

I love the cover of this book and would love to win a copy for my church library.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

sm said...

I sure enjoy Historical Fiction and one about the ALAMO sounds very good. I've been to see the ALAMO in Texas- great place.
sharon, Oceanside, CA

Janelle said...

I don't know if any of you have heard this, but there's a group trying to remove some of the nearby businesses in order to rebuild the walls of the Alamo complex to make it look like it did back in 1836. My doubts are high that this will actually happen, but I, for one, would love to see it happen.

Unknown said...

Whew, what an interesting beginning - grabbed my attention with the slap. I enjoy historical fiction, particularly about places I've physically been. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to in a great read.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Arlington, TX

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Jasmine A. said...

This sounds like a great book! I really enjoy stories about early Texas, especially the Alamo. I guess it started from listening to Marty Robbins sing Ballad Of The Alamo, it is still one of my favorites. In case you are wondering, I am in my mid-twenties so I didn't get to listen live ;)

Jasmine A.
in Montana where spring has finally sprung

Jorie said...

I have to admit that the Alamo is one part of history that I haven't studied anything about! I like how the author mentioned that she's enthused real events alongside fictional characters to ignite a sense of realism as much as enable the reader to be drawn in closer to the action! Thank you for offering this bookaway!

inkand-blogaways(at)usa.net
//Florida